LOCATION
Tampere, Finland
DATE
2019 - 2020
SIZE
40 ha
TYPE
Two Stage Open Competition
STATUS
4th prize
CLIENT
City of Tampere
PROJECT TEAM
Martin Arfalk, Patrick Verhoeven,
Maria Gregorio, Cyril Pavlu, Leslie Norris, Katerina Vondrova, Andrei Deacu, Francesca Savio
A 40 hectare masterplan to extend Tampere’s City centre to the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi, through the combination of traditional and ‘sea side’ block structures.
SoBa
South of Viinika Bay
Viinikanlahti is a 40-hectare industrial area located on the southern edge of Lake Pyhäjärvi, adjacent to Tampere’s City centre. In late 2019 the City of Tampere organised an open competition to masterplan the site, and Mandaworks was one of six teams selected into the second round.
Our proposal SoBa, outlined our vision for the expansion of the historic city centre along the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi. The transformation of the industrial area carefully balances the needs of ecological, social, and economic dynamics to outline a natural and genuine extension of the City to the water’s edge.
By combining the visions of the traditional city block and a seaside village structure, we were able to propose a new typological hybrid, which defines space, yet reduces the scale and invites people in. The mix of typologies contained in the blocks offer a diverse platform for life, and an articulated public space network anchors attractive ‘third spaces’ where residents can enjoy the lakeside location. The blocks and buildings are sculpted and choreographed to create spaces that anchor the public realm in lively, sheltered pockets that are inviting in all seasons, acting as generators of social life and community gathering.
SoBa extends the vibrant downtown life of Tampere South of Viinikka Bay, using a dynamic harbour and corresponding waterfront squares at the heart of the neighbourhood as a catalyst for dynamic urban life. At the water’s edge, the urban fabric meets an extensive green coastline, providing new opportunities for people and wildlife to thrive.
Seamless integration
With an iconic and memorable harbour, thoughtfully articulated buildings that meet the landscape in sensitive and exciting ways, and a highly diverse and performative landscape, the elements in SoBa work in concert to create an extraordinary and unforgettable district that becomes far more than the sum of its parts.
The water square
The SoBa square acts as both an ecological activator, and a social gathering place, with a market hall and harbour restaurant that become embedded in the landscape, and seating edges and rocks that offer views to the waterfront.
The SoBa district
Fully built out, the structure of SoBa offers a diversity of blocks with unique internal pockets, as well as a strong connection to the coast and harbour.
SoBa Block
SoBa is developed with varying building heights that serve to block noise from the main street south of the district or to protect from wind, where buildings are taller, and open courtyards up to the sun where buildings are lower. Gentle slopes within courtyards and the park direct water towards vegetation and into depressions for infiltration.
Canoe cove
Closely connected to the heart of the district, the canoe centre is a lively destination for boating enthusiasts and pedestrians alike, inviting people to engage with the water.
Diverse coastline
Traditional block structures are cut, creating spaces off of the street that draw people in, serving as social gathering nodes as well as sheltered pockets that allow for interesting movement through blocks. New microclimates are created by taking advantage of buildings to block wind, and opening up cuts within the blocks where sun exposure is prime
Performative micro-space
Taking advantage of sunny, sheltered pockets, life thrives in the small connections nestled between buildings.
Vibrant ecological and social coast
By pulling the coast open, pockets are created along the length of the coast in which social and ecological life are given room to thrive. These pockets push out into the water, and pull into the district as well, establishing the coast as a space with varying thickness and program, tying land and water together in a more meaningful way.
An evening by the water
Life on the SoBa waterfront is equally exciting at night, as the harbour and waterfront park become inviting spaces for an evening stroll.
Fusing life and ecology
Connections within the district and with the waterfront are established in a way that creates microclimates and exciting sheltered pockets for animal, plant, and human life to move seamlessly through the district.
