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Honka built a neurosurgical clinic in Japan

The Maeda Neurosurgical Clinic, specializing in neurological treatments, consists of a main building of 1400 m2 and separate patient rooms, and is built entirely of solid logs of Nordic pine from Finland. In spite of its homelike atmosphere, the clinic offers very advanced treatments. The neurosurgical clinic has sophisticated special equipment for examining and treating the brain.

A rare inpatient clinic made of logs has recently opened in Japan. The clinic was designed and constructed by Honka Japan Inc., the Japanese subsidiary of Honkarakenne Group, together with its local partner Honka Resort Fuji Goko.

The clinic, which is located in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, near Mt. Fuji, carries the name of its director, Dr Takahiro Maeda. He was the one who asked Honka to build his clinic out of solid log.

Approximately fifty operations are performed each year at the 19-bed clinic, which also provides emergency treatment. The Maeda clinic has 25 staff members, five of whom are specialists.

It was Dr Maeda's idea to select the natural and durable solid log as building material. According to him, patients who spend long periods of time in hospital need a relaxing and soothing environment to raise their spirits, which will have a beneficial impact on healing. Wood mitigates and absorbs sounds, making the clinic a quiet and harmonic place for patients to recover from brain surgery.

Thanks to the properties of natural wood, the indoor air humidity at the clinic is always at the optimal level for promoting health – a log building is ideal especially for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Homely, open patient rooms

The clinic itself is a single-story building and easy for patients to move around in. The high ceilings of the waiting lounge and day rooms make the interior spacious. The patient rooms in their separate building each provide access to a balcony looking upon a wooded vista.

Safety was one factor in the choice of building material: log buildings endure well the earthquakes. Honka has a lot of experience in earthquake-proof construction in Japan. The durable solid log is also fireproof.

Honka has sold more than 3000 log buildings in Japan since its entry into the market in 1971. Its Japanese subsidiary Honka Japan has offices in Tokyo and Yamanakako and 20 model houses all over Japan. According to its CEO Marko Saarelainen, the Japanese value solid log because it is a natural, energy-friendly material and promotes good health. The fact that it is also proof against earthquakes and fires are also important selection criteria.

Further information: Honkarakenne Oyj, Brand Communications Manager Anne-Maarit Sepling, tel. 0400-904124, anne-maarit.sepling@honka.com