Renovation of the Jokela brick factory for Jokela's 150th anniversary

We propose that the municipality of Tuusula take immediate measures to restore the production building of the old brick factory in Jokela to a condition and use that reflects its cultural and industrial historical value. The aim is to have the brick factory renovated by spring 2024, when both the factory and the village that grew up around it will celebrate their 150th anniversary.

Founded in 1874, the Jokela brick factory was one of the largest and most modern brick factories in Europe at the time, with two ring kilns used for brick production. Together with the Kolsa brick factory, it made Jokela the most important brick industry location in Finland. The Jokela brick factory, which ceased operations in 1960, has a 50-metre-long, 16-chamber vaulted ring kiln, which is the only one of its kind remaining in Finland.

The brick factory buildings became the property of the municipality of Tuusula in 1985. Since the municipality’s depot operations moved away from the area, the brickworks buildings have been left in secondary use or vacant. The long production building (a combination of an engine room, artificial dryer and kiln shelter) is in particularly poor condition, and there is a risk that vandalism, in addition to weather and birds, will damage its valuable structure.

The municipality is obliged to take urgent action, particularly as the production building with its ring kiln is protected by the Building Protection Act.

The Jokela brick factory must be renovated into a year-round museum and cultural space, as well as a meeting place for villagers, enabling, for example, restaurant operations. 

Renovating the brick factory into a multi-purpose facility has long been a wish of the Jokela residents and part of the Jokela development committees’ action programme. Over the years, Jokela associations have developed various events for the brick factory and its courtyard area during the off-season. The Tuusula Museum has also taken active steps to promote the brick factory by, for example, installing information boards and clearing the kiln shelter building, enabling it to be used as a museum during the summer season and, most recently, as a summer restaurant.

The Jokela associations have joined forces and begun organising Jokela’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The highlight of the year is hoped to be the opening of the renovated brick factory as a living room and party venue for the villagers. The associations promise to organise events at the renovated brick factory and to use it actively throughout the year, even after the anniversary celebrations.

We believe that the brick factory museum would significantly enhance the image of the municipality of Tuusula and would also be of national importance, as Finland lacks a museum showcasing the history of industrial brick manufacturing. Traditional building materials, ironworks environments and industrial history are of interest to the general public. Brick factory tourists could also be attracted by a direct train connection to the site. 

The entire brick factory environment must be restored to its former glory and put to use. 

At the same time as the brick factory restoration project, the recreational potential of the factory yard area will be further developed, for example, into a concert and event arena. In the future, the other remaining buildings of the brick factory will also be renovated to complement the overall complex and service offering. However, organising

museum activities and public events at the brick factory is challenging because the courtyard area and the old production building lack public facilities and toilets. The solution to this is to build a maintenance building that meets accessibility requirements on the railway side of the production building, on the foundations of the so-called dry brick warehouse that was demolished on the same site. 

Urgent measures to protect the brick factory

In the initial phase, the building conservator must assess the need for immediate measures to protect the kiln shelter, ring kiln, artificial drying kiln and brick-built machine room from further damage, and provide an assessment of the restoration needs and measures required for the building stock.

At the same time, the condition of the production building should be assessed and a comprehensive plan drawn up for its renovation and possible extension, as well as for the future use of the brickworks area. 

In addition, the brick factory project and its implementation budget should be included in the Tuusula Technical and Educational Services’ operating and financial plan and investment plan for 2023 and 2024.

This content has been translated using AI

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