One our earlier times' targets in Tampere was a tough case to figure out. We first mistakenly thought it was a match factory, later found out that it was actually a mortar factory. They produced special kinds, like refractory mortar for ovens and such. However, the original user of the building was a roof felt factory. We've no further information about that era, but it was obviously quite a long time ago, so we'll continue to call the place Kolkos even though Santalahden Kattohuopa- ja Asfaltteeraustehdas is actually more original.

History of "asphalting factory" goes quite far, for some of its buildings (which must mean the janitor's house) were built in 19th century. The present factory was built 1940. After larger scale industry left the building, new users settled in. There was "Kolkos-Muuraus Oy" who produced Kolkos mortar, a small tile coating business, motor vehicle workshop, furniture sales, hangaround premises of some gang and who knows what else. Eventually all of them left and the building got deserted. Being tightly split into several departments it stood against vandalism for quite long, but eventually decay took over, section by section.

The building's appearance is bleaky and interiors are/were mostly empty or full of uninteresting junk. Yet Kolkos has intrigued us to make a visit after visit there, mostly because many departments were unaccessible at certain times. Being mostly done in nights, those were quite exciting trips. By the year 2006, the mystery had been totally unveiled. There is now easy access everywhere, which dilutes most of the thrill the place had to offer. Future shows very little light for Kolkos, for the area is under development and most probably it will be the usual case: demolition - new flats.

Mission based sorting seemed most suitable for this target, so the pages contain very differing material in terms of quality.