Vuolteentori, located in the waterfall landscape of Tampere's core, has been awarded the Environmental Structure of the Year 2018. Located at the intersection of industrial and new Tampere, the market combines the area's industrial history and new activities in a modern way. The market has successfully taken into account the needs of living, pedestrian traffic and terraces, as well as a unique location in the koskim landscape.
The results of the competition organized by Rakennustuoteollisuus RTT and the Garden Association were announced on February 7 at the Green Days organized in Jyväskylä. Certificates of honor were awarded in the competition to the builder of the awarded site and to the parties most involved in the planning and implementation.
Certificates of honor were given to the developer City of Tampere, Five Star Center development project, designer Landscape architect office Näkkä Oy, lighting designer WhiteNight Lightning Oy, executor VRJ Länsi-Suomi Oy and stonework maker Alain Gassa, VRJ Etelä-Suomi Oy.
Thread roll pattern from the history of spinning
Maisema-arkitehtitoimisto Ukkêm Oy, winner of the Vuolteentori idea competition organized in 2014 The roll is rolling-the basic idea of the proposal is a thread roll pattern based on the history of spinning mills. It is repeated in concrete and natural stone and in the forms of cast-in-place wall.
Vuolteentori is in a central location in terms of cityscape and a hub of busy walking routes. Two bridges lead to the square and it is bordered by a hotel and a shopping center, whose terraces and entrance open in the direction of the market. Vuolteentor is framed by an industrial landscape: the water plant, the Tako factory on the opposite bank, and the old factory in Kehräsaari, which has been converted into retail space.
The previous appearance of the square was dominated by incompleteness, unauthorized parking and temporary structures. The renovated square is now a distinctive, attractive square actively used by the townspeople. The market has taken into account the needs of living, walking and terraces, as well as a unique location in the koskimaise.
A distinctive part of the Tammerkoski beach park strip
The strong-looking low concrete wall formed on the eastern edge of the square follows the shapes of the thread roll motif of the paving. The wall and the green artificial grass zone divide the area in such a way that the free city living and functional surface is placed on the lower stone level and the restaurant and cafe terraces on their own level on the walls of the buildings. The curving, long wall creates a lot of places to sit. Small-scale events can also be organized on the open space.
The area rising from the square to the hotel and shopping center has new grass and tree and shrub plantings, which connect Vuolteentori to a natural part of the green park strip bordering Tammerkoski's beaches.
The main theme of the market's lighting is to bring out the concrete wall. The LED strip on its upper edge creates a meandering line of light that leads the passerby through the square. The benches are also illuminated and the park trees in the square are highlighted. On the beach side, the basic lighting is implemented with pole lights directed downwards.
High-quality implementation
The square's thread roll pattern is repeated throughout the stone area. The use of four different natural stones and the variation of the tone of the concrete paving between the three colors bring variety to it. The stonework on the side of the buildings is two-toned large concrete slabs. The careful execution of the stone, which is demanding in terms of its shape, is a proof of the professional skill and pride of the creators.
Recognition for a high-quality environment
The goal of the Environmental Structure of the Year competition is to make known high-quality environmental entities, where good planning and implementation have created an aesthetically and functionally sustainable, good environment. The prize was awarded for the 28st time.
The jury of the competition was represented by representatives of the Construction Industry RTT, the Gardening Association, the Stone Industry Association, the Green Environment Association, the Finnish Landscape Architects' Association, the Finnish Architects' Association, the Ministry of the Environment and the press.
For more information:
- Tiina Kaskiaro
Rakennustuoteollisuus RTT ry
tiina.kaskiaro@rakennusteollisuus.fi / 050 466 0297 - Jyri Uimonen
Garden Association
jyri.uimonen@puutarhalitto.fi / 040 827 4833 - Download press photos from this link