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Helsinki reveals winner of South Harbour design project
The competition included two interactive stages in which residents submitted more than 2,000 comments on the entries via the Kerro Kantasi feedback service.
The entry ‘Saaret’ by the Konsortium Gran team has won an international competition to develop the Makasiiniranta area in Helsinki’s South Harbour.
The jury said the winning entry is creditable in terms of cityscape and architecture and that it is a balanced extension to Helsinki’s maritime downtown area.
Pedestrian city centre
The City of Helsinki launched a competition to find a partner to develop the Makasiiniranta area in the South Harbour in May 2021. The area will be developed as part of the pedestrian city centre and the seaside trail around the shores of Helsinki, and as a location for the new Architecture and Design Museum.
Saaret was selected from four entries that made it to the competition’s second stage. The competition, which also attracted international attention, promoted discussion on the topic and encouraged residents to take active part in the development.
In the two interactive stages of the competition, residents submitted more than 2,000 comments on the entries via the Kerro Kantasi feedback service.
“Residents’ participation and public discussion during the various stages of the competition have been a key part of the competition and the jury’s work”
With regard to Helsinki’s carbon neutrality targets, the solution had to be based on climate-smart and sustainable construction methods.
“Our main goal is to make Makasiiniranta a valuable maritime area for recreation for both locals and visitors. Residents’ participation and public discussion during the various stages of the competition have been a key part of the competition and the jury’s work,” said Juhana Vartiainen, mayor of Helsinki, praising the residents’ involvement.
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Due to the nature and cultural and historical context of the target area, the competitors were tasked with resolving how to reconcile new construction with the environment and how the future looks for the protected buildings in the area – the Old Market Hall, the Olympia Terminal and the Satamatalo building.
The designs also needed to figure out how to turn the area into an attractive and functional one and how the maritime area would look opening up from the shore with its seaside trail.
It was seen as an advantage for the winning entry that it connects to the city structure of the surrounding districts of Kaartinkaupunki, Ullanlinna and Kaivopuisto. Furthermore, it emphasises the views opening up to the landmarks and maritime scenery of the city centre. The plan intertwines with other parts of the area, introducing new public outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.
Coastal squares
Makasiiniranta will have a set of coastal squares to complement the seaside trail around Helsinginniemi cape. Laivasillankatu street will become an urban street space with squares and views opening up to Uspenski Cathedral and the Baltic Sea.
“The winner has a balanced functional concept. The restaurant, commercial and office premises and the hotel included in the new construction and the cultural venues planned for the protected Satamatalo and Olympia Terminal buildings will make the area attractive,” said Vartiainen.
“Our main goal is to make Makasiiniranta a valuable maritime area for recreation for both locals and visitors”
“Similarly, the new Architecture and Design Museum to be built in Makasiiniranta will attract even more locals and visitors to the area. Makasiiniranta will become more closely connected to the city centre. The winning plan will make it a busy and pleasant maritime area on the shores of the South Harbour.”
The New Museum of Architecture and Design to be built in the area will combine the existing national museums on the two topics, the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum. A separate design competition will be held for the museum building. The plan is to launch the competition once the decision on the museum’s realisation is made in 2023.
The teams behind the winning and other three finalists entries are:
- Saaret: Konsortium Gran (Niam, K2S Architects, White Arkitekter, Ramboll Finland, Rakennuttajatoimisto HTJ Oy)
- Ahti: Elävä Eteläsatama (Ålandsbanken, Arkkitehdit Tommila, Arkkitehdit Rudanko + Kankkunen, A-insinöörit, VSU)
- Boardwalk: AALTO Development (Arkkitehtitoimisto Lahdelma-Mahlamäki, Maisema-arkkitehtitoimisto NÄKYMÄ Oy, Sitowise)
- Makasiinipromenadi: South Harbour (NREP, SRV Group, Anttinen Oiva Arkkitehdit, Nomaji maisema-arkkitehdit, Sitowise, Suunnittelutoimisto Amerikka).
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How does the Saaret design integrate with Helsinki’s maritime cityscape?What sustainable construction methods are planned for Makasiiniranta development?How will pedestrianisation enhance the South Harbour’s urban recreational spaces?In what ways will the new Architecture and Design Museum attract visitors?How does the design preserve and utilize the protected historic buildings?
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