Toppila wood chips silo

The Toppila wood chips silo is an industrial building with a tall, single-chamber storage space where three suspended hoppers are built into the concrete structure. Its compact form focuses entirely on the practical function of storing and handling wood chips.

The building was created in 1931 as part of a cellulose factory in Toppila, designed by the renowned architect Alvar Aalto. Its creation marks a key period of industrialization in the Oulu region.

The structure reflects Oulu's industrial past and shows how factories once shaped the city's landscape. Visitors can understand the role wood processing played in the region's development.

The silo sits in Toppila's port area and is easy to see from outside, but sits within an industrial zone with limited public access. Visitors should expect that the interior is not open for tours.

The silo is currently being transformed into a research center focusing on environmental monitoring and building preservation methods. This conversion allows a piece of industrial history to be preserved for future generations.

Location: Toppila

Location: Oulu

Inception: 1931

Architects: Alvar Aalto

Address: Paalikatu 21

GPS coordinates: 65.04512,25.43217

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:03