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Art

Why Helsinki’s Innovative Circular Olympic Architecture From Seventy Years Ago Will Be Renewed

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Although the smallest city to have hosted the summer Olympics, Helsinki’s functionalist structures were conceived as versatile recreational venues and have been preserved to become modestly emblematic of successful circular design 70 years later.

With functional design and sustainably-driven innovation as core priorities for Helsinki’s future, the city and the partners undertaking renovation work to the heritage sites have echoed contemporary architects and designers across the world using innovative design to renew rather than demolish existing buildings as the city grows.

Hanna Harris



Hanna Harris, Chief Design Officer, City of Helsinki, commented: “Helsinki’s Olympic landmarks are a source of great local and national pride, and are buildings that many of us have either grown up recognizing as part of the city’s fabric, or fondly remember for their original purpose. It is therefore of particular importance that we maintain and protect the legacy of these historic buildings, while reconceiving new uses and undertaking architectural updates that bring new life to former Olympic sites as sustainably as possible.”

Helsinki Olympic Stadium

Built in 1938 and intended to host the 1940 Olympic Games before its cancellation, the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, is an iconic landmark of independent Finland and Finnish functionalism. The stadium is the result of an open architectural competition held in the 1930s – a favoured design process in Helsinki – which was won by Finnish architects Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti. Becoming a crown jewel of 1930s functionalist concrete architecture in Finland, and at the heart of the 1952 Games, the Stadium has since been re-envisioned as a multi-purpose sporting and events location. 

The refurbishment of the stadium, completed in 2020, respects the original architecture by preserving the angular concrete facade and original structure of the design. Additional features were added in a 20,000 sq m underground extension, and include sports facilities, logistical spaces, technical spaces, and an indoor running track. In addition, K2S Architects + Architects NRT improved public safety and comfort by adding new entrances to the stands, and a canopy to cover the stands almost entirely.

Amos Rex Art Museum

Originally designed as a temporary building to serve visitors to the Olympic Games, the Lasipalatsi (“glass palace” in Finnish) once housed commercial premises, restaurants, and a cinema. 2018 saw the completion of a five-year, €50 million project by Helsinki-based architecture firm JKMM to restructure the Lasipalatsi to house the Amos Rex Art Museum, amongst other public spaces. 

At the heart of the museum, 13,000 cubic metres of rock have been excavated to create a world-class gallery space. The gallery is topped with a series of domes and skylights, which above-ground create a series of mounds that articulate the surface of Lasipalatsi Square. The mounds generate a playful landscape which invites residents and visitors alike to interact with the space, and are often used as grandstands, stages, or platforms for public events. 

A programme of creatives are invited to also make use of this public space to produce site-specific work, such as The Nest, a sculptural installation by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata (7 May – 4 September 2022), in which reclaimed materials surge over the roof of the Lasipalatsi building and up the courtyard chimney. 

Helsinki Airport

Built in 1952, Helsinki Airport saw nearly 2000 flights pass through during the Olympic Games, with guests including royalty, such as Dutch Prince Bernhard and Prince Philip of the United Kingdom, as well as Olympic sports teams from around the world.

Designed by Helsinki-based practice ALA Architects, the newest terminal extension aims to streamline the user experience and bring excitement back into air travel, with new departure and arrival halls that from 21 June 2022 centralise all flights under one roof, in addition to the introduction of next-generation security control and a new multimodal travel centre. New stores enliven the visitor experience such as Balmuir and Marimekko stores, a variety of restaurants, and the beloved Moomin Shop. 

A central feature of the airport extension is a cross-laminated timber ceiling, made up of 500 unique pieces of Finnish spruce which slot together to form a feat of carpentry in an undulating structure that appears to float overhead. The terminal extension reflects a purposeful dedication to Finnish design and nature through the use of predominantly domestic materials. A freeform installation titled “Luoto” echoes the rocks and islets seen across the national landscape as a natural diorama featuring trees, plants, and stones as a memorable experience for visitors.

The redevelopment is due to complete in 2023, when a new baggage claim hall will be put into service.

Serpentine House

Designed by Yrjö Lindegren, also responsible for the Olympic Stadium, the Serpentine House in the Käpylä district of Helsinki is a highlight of Finnish architecture. The building of 189 residential flats was first constructed as part of the Olympic Village in 1951. The project to renovate the southern residential building ran from 2016 to 2018 and was led by architect Mona Schalin of Kati Salonen and Mona Schalin Architects. Serpentine House subsequently won the 2019 Finlandia Prize for Architecture, awarded annually by the Finnish Association of Architects, SAFA.

Despite its total length of 287 m, the design succeeds in avoiding a rigid and austere feel by setting the residential units in a fan-like arrangement that creates a series of private and sheltered garden spaces. The design team also worked in close collaboration with the staff at Helsinki City Museum and the city’s planning and building control departments to propose a sustainable refurbishment. The majority of the original windows and kitchen fittings were preserved and repaired and, significantly, the original natural ventilation system was retained. This energy efficient system will continue to reduce maintenance costs and prevent indoor air quality problems in the years ahead.
 

The City of Helsinki continues to demonstrate commitment to innovative, sustainable design and the transformational potential of architecture in shaping the city as ways in which to further improve its maritime character, create liveable spaces, and promote active citizenship.

Later in 2022, an Architecture Policy will be unveiled that formalizes the city’s relationship to architecture across landmarks, everyday buildings, coastal connections, and urban renewal.

Also in 2022, the design winner of the Makasiiniranta quality and concept competition will be announced,  cementing plans for Helsinki’s most high-profile upcoming development that will house the new Architecture and Design Museum.  

Instituting a new chapter for the city’s South Harbor – the last old harbor area to be transformed for public use in Helsinki, including the protected Olympic Terminal – the development of the 83,000 sq ft historic site will reconnect the expanding pedestrianized city centre with the shoreline as a new culturally-intensive destination. A separate architecture competition for the Architecture and Design Museum is set to launch during 2023.

Earth

Renewable Energy Housing Why & How To Do It

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Every year, the public is swarmed with a range of statistics, estimates and consequences of their energy consumption. On average, most households go through their energy supply for similar things, and despite some inconsistencies, could resolve most of their consumption issues with the same line of measures.

The use of renewable energy sources has been key to making private residential buildings all the more sustainable. It not only regulates their consumption, but also provides a clearer overview of how much energy is necessary to keep the household going, and ultimately allows homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint.

With so much research and preparation made against exploitation of limited resources, it is important to keep informed on the main reasons leading to this practice that concern each individual homeowner, as well as the key ways to get started with renewable energy generation.

What is Renewable Energy?

In order to get started with your housing energy improvements, it is important to know what kind of process you are dealing with. Renewable energy, specifically, is the process of generating energy from renewable sources like the sun, wind, soil, which are largely available in nature.

If done properly, this practice can be rather sustainable, meaning it will help homeowners regulate consumption, reduce expenses and contribute to a healthier environment.

Main Reasons for Renewable Energy Housing

As noted so far, this practice resolves some of the major concerns homeowners have, both on the micro and macro level. Ana from safeatlast.co has done the work for us, distinguishing a few top priorities that cause people to turn to renewable energy:

· Cost – Energy price soars, as well as additional expenses appearing over the years have had detrimental effects on homeowners’ budgets;

· Climate change – Greater awareness of the greenhouse effect has made people more concerned about their home’s carbon footprint;

· Control – People are alarmed by the realization that they have no idea how much energy they need to meet their everyday needs;

· The current state of the home – Construction characteristics, underground waters, insulation and other features could cause major problems, calling for a more permanent solution.

Top Ways to Achieve Renewable Energy Housing

Nowadays, there is a range of equipment, construction material and entire systems that can be installed into your existing homes in order to achieve greater energy conservation. Most of these make use of the natural, renewable sources of energy to improve the overall quality of life.

While they may be somewhat expensive as an investment, subsidiary programs and initiatives, as well as the long-term payout have gotten many homeowners interested in the following options:

1. Solar power systems – Solar panels placed on rooftops allow homeowners to use the sun’s heat to generate heating power for water, space heating, or electric power generation, alternatively;

2. Biomass boilers – Burning natural residues, these boilers help homeowners get rid of waste and keep their homes warm at the same time, all the while controlling their carbon emissions;

3. Insulation – Proper insulation is just as crucial as the systems listed above, with cavity wall, external and internal wall insulation, as well as high performance doors being the top picks among homeowners.