Helsinki, Finland, 09 June 2010 – UPM and the city of Mikkeli have agreed on building the winning entry of last years' wooden design competition organized by UPM . The city is planning to use the spectacular wooden concept hotel in connection with various media events, exhibitions and visits. Furthermore, the city will be launching a wood construction program that will focus on the promotion of wood construction and sustainable development in Mikkeli.

Last year, UPM arranged an open 24-hour design contest that resulted in the building of the WISA Wooden Design Hotel in Valkosaari in Helsinki’s South Harbor. The winning designer, Pieta-Linda Auttila, wanted to underline the endless expressive potential of one material and one shape. The WISA Wooden Design Hotel is a temporary building that can accommodate a few people at a time. The interior space is approximately 30 square meters, excluding the courtyard. The WISA Wooden Design Hotel has been built with respect for the environment. The hotel has received much attention in the international media as a unique building and a strong representative of Finnish design tradition.

The hotel will be built June–July in the Mikkelipuisto Park by Lake Saimaa. The wooden hotel will be open to visitors during the Mikkelipuisto horticultural event on 08 September. At other times, the hotel can be viewed from the outside and as a 3D model (available in 2011), and on the Internet at www.wisa24.com or www.mikkelipuisto.fi.

UPM Timber produces sawn timber and further processed timber products for the building and construction industry and joinery. The annual production capacity is 2.3 million cubic meters of timber products. UPM Timber has 1200 employees and 12 production units in Austria, Finland, France, and Russia. UPM’s Finnish sawmills are located in Lappeenranta (Kaukas), Kajaani, Pietarsaari (Alholma), Korkeakoski and Pori (Seikku). In Finland, UPM Timber employs approximately 800 people. For additional information, visit www.upmtimber.com.