The Concrete Structure 2023 award has been won by Raide-Jokeri.
Raide-Jokeri brings a new spectacular element to the urban environment
Raide-Jokeri will be awarded as concrete structure of the year 2023. Raide-Jokeri is a large-scale project managed by example, which is of great importance to both society and the urban environment. The principles of sustainable development implemented in the project and its consequent effects lead community and environmental development in a strongly positive direction. As the Raide-Joker light rail improves regional transversal traffic, the competitiveness of low-emission and functional public transport can be further increased. The densification of the community structure and the reduction of energy use also increase regional competitiveness.
Raide-Jokeri brings a completely new built element to the urban environment. The aim of the project has been for the light rail to blend into the various environments along the line, but still form a recognizable part of the capital region's public transport system.
The new 25-kilometer track brings trams to completely new areas and offers interchanges with both the metro and commuter trains. There are 34 pairs of stops along the new expressway. The line connects Helsinki Itäkeskus, Viikki and Otaniemi campus areas, Aalto University and Keilaniemi metro stations and Oulunkylä, Huopalahti and Leppävaara railway stations.
According to the jury's view, the successful adaptation of Raide-Joker to the existing urban structure is based specifically on the large-scale use of concrete and, to a significant extent, also on the flexibility of conversion of previously built concrete structures. 11 new bridges have been built on the Raide-Jokeri line and 9 bridges have been repaired or widened. In addition, the soil conditions have required large-scale piling and the construction of pile slabs at several sites. Concrete retaining walls have been built along the line in a total of 17 places. Raide-Joker's concrete power supply stations were developed with a recognizable umbra-colored architectural look for the line. A total of 15 precast concrete electricity supply stations were implemented in the project.
A special part of the project was widening the underpass of Huopalahti station to be suitable for tram traffic, as the tunnel structure under the station was widened by more than 27 meters. The widening involved an extraordinary amount of coordination with other work groups in the area, such as land, railway and electrical engineers.
The concrete mouth openings of the Patterimäki rock tunnel are also worth considering. As a result, the hardening temperature of the concrete had to be lowered with the cooling water piping installed in the structure.
Itäkeskus Varikkotie also had to implement extraordinary concrete structures, because the foundations of the subway feeder track bridge could not be strained with new structures. Therefore, a new underground bridge was built over the pile fields of the metro line. In the immediate vicinity of the 70-meter viaduct there is an over 200-meter-long groundwater trough.
Two new waterway bridges were built over the Vantaanjoki, one for the tramway and the railway line, and the other for the users of the coastal tramway. There is an endangered river mussel living in the river near the construction site, the preservation of which was taken care of during the construction of the bridge by moving the mussels upstream during construction.
The project also implemented solutions that improve the diversity of the street environment. These include, for example, the construction of grilling fields on the slopes of the tramway and grass tracks, which increase green space in the street space and improve its comfort. Green surfaces bind dust in the street environment and improve the city's microclimate.
In the jury's opinion, well-founded, large-scale infrastructure projects are a viable means of responding to the environmental challenges of the time. The effects of public transport solutions that support the development of dense urban structures on the quality of the future environment can already be measured today.
By awarding the Raide-Jokeri project with the 2023 Concrete Prize, the competition's jury also wants to encourage the implementers of future significant infrastructure and public transport projects to invest in the quality of the environment through both technical and architectural means.
The light rail started operating between Helsinki's Itäkeskus and Espoo's Keilaniemi in October 2023, more than half a year earlier than the original goal.
Raide-Joker's design and implementation will be awarded to:
Builder: City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, Pääkaupunkiseudu kaupunkiliikenne Oy
Designers: Ramboll Finland Oy, Sitowise Oy, Sweco Finland Oy
Contractors: YIT Infra Oy, NRC Group Finland Oy
Concrete Structure of the Year 2023 jury:
Managing director, Jussi Mattila, Betoniteollisuus ry, chairman of the jury
Architect SAFA, Pekka Pakkanen, Finnish Association of Architects SAFA
Building architect RIA, Mika Suihko, Construction engineers and architects RIA
Dipl.ins., Pekka Talaskivi, RIL ry
Dipl.ins., Mirva Vuori, Suomen Betoniyhdistys ry
Editor-in-Chief, Tapio Kivistö, Rakennuslehti
Editor-in-chief, architect SAFA, Maritta Koivisto, Betoniteollisuus ry, Betoni-lehti, jury assistant
The Concrete Structure of the Year competition has been organized since 1970, and in 2023 it was organized for the 54th time. This time, 10 proposals participated in the competition. The award is given on the basis of an annual competition to the building site that best represents Finnish concrete construction. The purpose is to make known and promote Finnish concrete architecture, technology and construction. The competition was organized by Betoniteollisuus ry.
2023 Betonirakenne candidates:
Flat. Oy Helsingin Hyperion, Helsinki – Architecture firm B&M Oy
KOy Infracity (A & B), Turku – Sigge Arkkitehdit Oy
As Oy Helsingin Berkka, Helsinki – Arkk'idea Oy
Namika arena, Helsinki – Architects Rudanko + Kankkunen and AFKS
New Näkinsilta, Helsinki – City of Helsinki
As Oy Helsingin Lohenpoika and Haso Taimenpuro, Helsinki – Architects Kirsi Korhonen and Mika Penttinen Oy
TA-Asumisoikeus Oy Turumankatu 10 and 22, Helsinki – Arkkitehtoimisto Huttunen Lipasti Oy
Raide-Jokeri, Helsinki-Espoo – Ramboll Finland Oy, Sitowise Oy and Sweco Finland Oy
Lyra – Arco Architecture Oy
FinVector's new production facility, Kuopio
For more information:
Betoniteollisuus ry:
Maritta Koivisto
tel. 040-900 3577
maritta.koivisto@betoni.com