In 2017, the municipality of Tuusula, known for its cultural history and barracks, organised a general architecture competition for a building that would provide facilities for an upper secondary school, adult education centre and many arts and craft schools as well as residents’ services.

The winning entry, designed by a Helsinki based architecture firm AOR Architects, proposed a log structure for the large building. The new high school was considered to particularly continue the tradition of solid wooden construction, often seen in the Tuusula, a former garrison area with its historical buildings and villas. Once completed, it will be the world’s largest massive timber log school.

Monio building has two large halls – after all, the building is also intended to serve as a cultural house that complements the upper secondary school activities. The aim is to also use the school’s lecture halls as acoustically impeccable places for performing music. It is considered important that the building located in a central location in Tuusula will have plenty of light and lively activities until late evening.

Finnish schools have often been consisted of separate classrooms and spaces for subjects such as physics or visual arts. While Monio still has these more traditional spaces designated to some subjects, the space solutions of the building are otherwise based on flexibility and a multi-use approach. The spaces can be combined or divided into smaller units.

The building has a primarily solid wood structure and it is characterised by its clear, visible log surfaces. However, using concrete structures has been necessary in the halls and their escape routes. Monio high school and community centre has been constructed under a large weather guard to ensure that the structures stay dry. The multi-purpose building is set to be completed in 2023.