Eteläpuisto Park

Tampere city center is unique. Large building masses with powerful materiality extend all the way to the shores of the Tammerkoski rapids, communicating Finnish history that goes deeper than industry and trade. The development of the competition area must respect the simplicity, the boldness and the straight-forward ambition of this history. The area shapes the face of Tampere for visitors approaching the city from east. The beginning of the city center should thus be clearly expressed. Our concept aims both to strengthen the weak spots in the competition area by following the logic set by the existing structure of the city, and to lift the area to the level it deserves.

TAMMERKOSKI RAPIDS – EAST: A series of recreational spaces will be built between the heart of the city and the slopes of Pyynikki with nodes for different activities creating a lively rhythm to this new waterfront area. The Nalkala area will be one of the main elements of the waterfront, linking Eteläpuisto and the city center. It is designed as a vivid extension to the city center. The proposed perimeter blocks follow the grid structure of the city. The heights of the apartment buildings vary from 2 to 13 floors and brick dominates the facades. The building front is visually strong, but the material choices and carefully preserved views towards local landmarks are respectful of the area’s history. Restaurants and services will animate the waterfront. The new apartments will enjoy views towards the rapids and the stadium. Inner courtyards offer dwellers privacy while usable roofs of the low building parts enable active contact with the city. The promenade starting from the Laukontori square is divided on to two planes for commercial and recreational activities that meet at the new urban square near the Ratina Bridge.

ETELÄPUISTO PARK – SOUTH: The eastern waterfront gradually transforms into large undulating green areas opening south towards Lake Pyhäjärvi. Paths divide the park area into various spaces suitable for different activities. A new water sports center is located in the western part of Eteläpuisto, creating an active hub between water and park activities. The wooden piers also house public saunas, a kayak rental, a guest harbor, and a lakeside info center. The sloping lawns and the beach area can be used for picnics and sunbathing as well as for outdoor sports and public events. The streams and wetlands will increase the aesthetic and recreational value of the area, and also have a positive effect on the biodiversity.

PYYNIKKI RIDGE – WEST: The northern edge of Eteläpuisto is defined by a public participation zone suitable for flea markets and small concerts on the border of the city and the park. Apartments in the two semi-enclosed townhouse blocks by the park enjoy a good contact to the recreational areas and fantastic views towards the south while avoiding too direct an exposure to the public routes. The stacked townhouses on the Koulukatu street make use of the sloping terrain of the site: some apartments are entered from street level, and others directly from the Pyynikki level. The Kurilankatu block both adapts the red brick feel of the neighboring old factory building and adjusts to the surroundings through height variation. The old retirement home slightly set back from the street front is transformed into a kindergarten.

HÄMEENPUISTO PARK – NORTH: Hämeenpuisto is one of Tampere’s essential urban spaces. It has the potential to become a proper esplanade in the best European tradition. The clarity and confidence that define the apartment buildings and public buildings along most of the esplanade is currently lacking in the competition area. The new Nalkala block will elegantly complete the esplanade, while a new public building on the south side of the Tampereen valtatie road completes the series of public buildings.

Name: Eteläpuisto Park and Its Environs

Type: Open competition, finalist

Status: Concluded

Program: 68,000 m2 of housing, up to 16,000 m2 of public buildings / services

Location: Tampere, Finland

Client: City of Tampere

Team: Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta and Samuli Woolston with Tonny Jensen, Felix Laitinen, Jorge Rovira, Sean Yang and Erica Österlund

Collaborators: VIZarch (renderings), MASU Planning (landscape design) and SITO (traffic planning)