A riverside oasis in Vantaa
In 2015, the City of Vantaa launched a competition to redesign the riverside recreational area in Tikkurila. Landscape architects LOCI won with their entry Oasis, which introduced playful hills, a miniature river for toy boats, and custom-designed playground structures. The goal was clear: bring a sense of green nature into the urban heart of Tikkurila.
Lighting Design Collective (LDC) joined the team to add a creative lighting layer to the park. Together, they imagined something more than basic poles — a sculptural element that would attract attention day and night.
From idea to icon
The result was Roosting Birds: a wooden pole shaped like a stylised tree, with bird-shaped luminaires perched on its branches.
Originally, the designers only thought of the birds as decorative details. But thanks to iGuzzini’s adaptable luminaires, the birds themselves became the lights. The playful concept quickly moved from sketches and paper models to 3D prototypes — and then to Tehomet’s workshop.
“Everything about this idea was structurally simple and clear. None of the components required complicated manufacturing,” recalls LDC’s Jari Vuorinen.
Built by Tehomet
Tehomet’s wooden pole expertise made the project feasible. The trunk was crafted from a Koli glulam pole, using Finnish PEFC-certified timber, with steel-structured branches carrying the wiring and luminaires. The result is both functional and sustainable.
“This was a smooth and fast process from start to finish. We received expert support and assurance from Tehomet,” says Vuorinen.
Light with purpose
The birds don’t flood the whole area with light. Instead, their small, adjustable heads direct warm light onto specific areas of the playground — enough for safety, without glare or disturbance.
“The guiding principle is simple: light must never be a nuisance,” Vuorinen explains.
A story told in light
Children playing under the tree see birds by day and glowing creatures by night. The design is playful yet permanent — a landmark that tells a story of nature, identity, and imagination.
The Roosting Birds tree has been so successful that variations are already planned elsewhere. The idea is scalable, adaptable, and always joyful.
Project details
- Location: Åvik Park, Vantaa, Finland
- Year: 2020
- Designers: Lighting Design Collective (LDC) & LOCI Maisema-arkkitehdit
- Manufacturer: Tehomet Oy
- Materials: Finnish PEFC-certified timber, steel branches, iGuzzini Palco InOut luminaires
- Photographers: Ilpo Aalto & Pyry Kantonen
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