Siida, located in Inari, has now been renovated and expanded to serve the increased activities and visitor numbers

Senate Properties, which is responsible for state facilities, has implemented an extensive renovation and expansion project at the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida in Inari. The extension was completed in spring 2021, and now the second phase of the project has been completed. It included, among other things, the renovation of workspaces and building services. The renovated Siida will open to the public in June of 2022.

With the renovation and extension, the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida has gained museum and nature centre facilities that meet the current technical and functional requirements. The renovated and expanded Siida building will serve the increased activities and visitor numbers even better.

“In the second phase, which has now been completed, the personnel workspaces have been renovated, the lobby has been expanded, and repair and renovation measures connected to construction, HVAC and electricity have been carried out. Special attention has been paid to ensuring good indoor conditions, to lighting, acoustics and safety solutions, as well as energy efficiency”, says Miikka Teppo, Construction Project Manager at Senate Properties.

Sakela Rakennus Oy, the contractor for the renovation, handed over the premises to Senate Properties on 25 March 2022. Senate Properties was the client of the construction project. Work will continue in the outer areas during the coming summer of 2022.

In addition to the renovation and extension, the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre at Siida have been planning a new joint main exhibition. The exhibition called “Enâmeh láá mii párnááh – These lands are our children” sums up the main messages of topics related to nature and culture. Construction of the exhibition is underway, and the exhibition will open to the public on 1 June 2022.

“We cannot wait to move to the renewed Siida. From the point of view of customer service, we are very satisfied with the facilities, as the renovation will enable us to better serve the growing customer flows. Also, modern technology installed in the exhibition space enables a better visitor experience. Our staff has participated in the design process of the workspaces, and as a result, the Siida building offers workspaces for various needs”, Eija Ojanlatva, acting Museum Director, and Pirjo Seurujärvi, National Park Superintendent say cheerfully.

A protected site of Senate Properties

The Siida building has not been officially protected, but Senate Properties has defined Siida as an unofficially protected site, which means that the building will be managed and repaired according to the same principles as officially protected buildings.

“In the building, the entrances and lines of sight have been kept open and the main views are highlighted in the building. Original surfaces, such as concrete floors, have been preserved and restored in the building. The site’s design language has also been preserved, and rounded corners are an essential part of it. Among the furniture, the auditorium benches were refurbished for use”, says Miikka Teppo.

The Board of Directors of Senate Properties made an investment decision for the project in December 2019. The Sámi Museum Foundation is Siida’s main tenant, and it further sublets the premises to the Northern Lapland Nature Centre of Metsähallitus and Restaurant Sarrit.

Further information:

Miikka Teppo, Senate Properties, tel. +358 40 180 0929, miikka.teppo(at)senaatti.fi
Eija Ojanlatva, acting Museum Director at The Sámi Museum Siida, +358 40 167 6145, eija.ojanlatva(at)samimuseum.fi
Pirjo Seurujärvi, National Park Superintendent at Metsähallitus / Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida, +358 40 012 5782, pirjo.seurujarvi(at)metsa.fi