An alliance of historical dignity and modern know-how - the restoration of the Marschall Mannerheim Museum
The Mannerheim Museum, one of Finland's most valuable cultural monuments, is currently undergoing extensive restoration. Located in Helsinki's Kaivopuisto district, the building has served as both a local museum and a national monument. The restoration of the Mannerheim Museum is not just about restoring surfaces - it is about careful restoration that respects the past while building for the future. Festool is proud to be part of this ambitious project together with the restoration experts. This wonderful project was carried out by Sixten "Datsun" Witick, the master of flooring at Parkettiliike Witick Oy, and the wonderful professionals at restoration specialist Trähus.
Skills and tools in a challenging environment:
The place itself is full of unique details: original wooden surfaces, historic floors and structures, every part of which must be kept as original as possible. Datsun Witick, a parquet flooring specialist responsible for restoring the floors in the project, explains:
"In a restoration like this, any mistake can mean history that can no longer be corrected. I needed a power tool that would allow me to work extremely precisely but efficiently. The Festool CSC SYS 50 cordless circular saw combined with a portable Base was a must for me - it may be small, but the performance exceeds all expectations. It's exactly what I needed for this job."
"CSC-SYS 50 - the parquet layer's best friend. The SYS- AIR Air purifier is an important addition to the project, as the work was mobile and the construction site had to remain dust-free."
Datsun says.
Completely dust-free - an important prerequisite for a historic museum location
One of the absolute requirements for the Mannerheim Museum restoration project was to be completely dust-free. Working in an environment of great cultural and historical value, where every floor slab, wall surface and object bears the mark of national heritage, there is no room for dust. Even a microscopic amount of fine construction dust can damage delicate surfaces or penetrate the museum's original objects and structures.
This is why Festool's system vacuum cleaners were crucial to the project - they ensured that any dust generated when using the tools was immediately Dust extraction from the work area. For example, the ROTEX Random Orbital Sander was connected directly to a Festool vacuum cleaner to ensure that no sanding dust remained in the room. The dust extraction system was seamlessly integrated into the work steps - not as a separate additional device, but as part of the overall system.
"You can't use tools in a museum without dust protection. Even fine dust that is invisible to the eye poses a risk. Festool's system vacuum cleaners ensured that every step of the work was clean - not just to the eye, but also to the air," says Datsun.
To ensure ultimate cleanliness, the Festool SYS AIR air purifier was also used to remove the fine dust suspended in the air that even the most powerful vacuum cleaners cannot fully reach when the tool is in use. With this device, the cleanliness of the room was brought up to museum-worthy standards - so that work could be carried out safely in the museum without damaging historic surfaces or artifacts.
"SYS AIR was the icing on the cake for us, ensuring that the room remained completely dust-free. It wasn't an accessory - it was the lifeblood of the work," summarizes Datsun.
This combination of effective dust extraction and Air purifier made it possible to carry out the demanding refurbishment work in a way that added value - in a way that met the highest standards of the working world, both past and present.Refining a valuable environment - oiling with the ETSC 2 sander
One of the most subtle and important steps in the restoration of the floors of the Mannerheim Museum was the oiling of the original parquet floors. For this work, natural Pallmann parquet oil was used, which is particularly suitable for historical sites due to its naturalness and deeply penetrating consistency. In order to apply and massage the oil evenly and deeply into the parquet, the tool had to be particularly precise, controllable and ergonomic.
Festool's ETSC 2 floor sander with built-in LED lighting, which was launched earlier this year, proved to be an excellent solution for this purpose. The LED lighting enabled precise visibility into all corners and hard-to-see areas - even in dimly lit areas. This enabled Datsun to ensure that the oil was applied to the floor in exactly the right quantity and using the right technique.
"TheETSC2 has been invaluable, especially when working on soils. When using natural Pallmann parquet oil, it is absolutely crucial to apply it to the wood in the right way. The non-centric movement combined with the light weight of the machine and the LED light made this work safe, dust-free and precise," describes Datsun.
"Festool's ETSEC epicenter sander with built-in LED light was also absolutely brilliant - it enabled perfect sanding results even in poorly lit areas without me having to guess the condition of the surface," says Datsun.
The museum staircase was finished with an RTSC 400 battery-powered surface sander, which offers outstanding features such as excellent ergonomics, a low overall height and cordless operation. And, of course, dust-free and healthy thanks to the Longlife dust bag made of special, durable polyester fabric.
"The best thing about these 18-volt machines with the carbon-free EC-TEC motor is always the fact that they deliver the performance of a mains-powered machine," summarizes Datsun.
Finishing the staircase was quick and easy with the RTSC 400 cordless sander thanks to its maneuverability and dust-free operation.
Sustainable development - part of our future heritage:
The entire project was carried out with green values in mind. Both the materials and the tools were carefully selected to support environmental friendliness and sustainability.
"Festool's tools are durable, easy to maintain and modular - they fully support what sustainable construction means today. Not a disposable product, but quality that is passed on from generation to generation. In this project, that's not just a value - it's a requirement," summarizes Datsun.
About Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (1867-1951) is one of the most respected figures in Finnish history. He served as a statesman, military leader and finally as President of Finland. Mannerheim is best known for his role as commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defense Forces during the Second World War and for his central role in securing Finnish independence during difficult times.
Mannerheim is respected for both his military prowess and his diplomacy in balancing East and Waistcoat. His former home in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, is now the Mannerheim Museum - a national memorial that honors both Mannerheim as a man and his era. Restoring such a symbolic place is not just a technical task - it is about preserving cultural heritage at its deepest level.
