The project began with a challenge: WSP’s designer and lighting specialist Sirpa Laitinen was tasked with creating a street lighting concept that truly embodied Laukaa’s spirit and identity. During the design process, the Saraakallio rock paintings — Finland’s most significant prehistoric art site — emerged as the central theme. Dating back over 7,000 years, Saraakallio contains more than 100 figures, making it the largest rock painting site in Fennoscandia. The sacred history of the site, once a place of ritual and worship, became the narrative backbone of the project.
Design Concept
The warm reddish tones of the ancient rock art, combined with the pine trunks surrounding Saraakallio, inspired the use of Corten steel as the material. This rust-red, weathered metal echoed the palette of the paintings while also offering durability and a sculptural presence. The idea was to laser-cut patterns of the rock figures into the poles, letting the city’s lighting infrastructure double as public art.
Engineering Innovation
For Tehomet, the technical challenge was considerable. Unlike uniform tubular structures, conical shapes deform when cut with laser machines. To overcome this, Tehomet developed a custom method for creating precise patterns without distortion. Once cut, the poles were fitted with integrated effect lighting, ensuring that the rock-painting motifs would glow elegantly after dark. Test lighting confirmed that the design achieved the desired balance of symbolism and visibility.
Result
The outcome is a unique weathered steel solution that pays homage to Laukaa’s cultural heritage while meeting modern lighting requirements. The poles stand as a bridge between ancient expression and contemporary urban design, transforming ordinary street lighting into a storytelling medium.
Key Facts
- Location: Laukaa, Finland
- Construction Year: 20xx
- Application: Area lighting / Cultural theming
- Designer: Sirpa Laitinen / WSP Finland
- Manufacturer: Tehomet Oy
- Photographer: Ilpo Aalto
- Special Feature: Corten steel poles with laser-cut rock painting motifs illuminated from within
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