Transforming the Makasiiniranta district of Helsinki

Swedish architecture firm White Arkitekter and Helsinki-based architecture practice K2S Architects have been selected to transform the Makasiiniranta district of Helsinki’s South Harbour.

This is set to become an “intense cultural destination” in Helsinki, Finland.

The team’s proposal was selected as a result of an international architecture competition launched by the City of Helsinki in 2021.

The winning team is made up of a consortium – Konsortium Gran, including real estate company Niam,

and engineering consultancy Ramboll Finland.

As well as the construction management company Rakennuttajatoimisto HTJ Oy together with White Arkitekter and K2S Architects.

The proposal, dubbed Sarte or the Islands, will involve linking flexible built spaces with dynamic public gathering points and urban landscape.

With views of the city, Uspensky Cathedral and the waterfront.

Design features

The masterplan will create an intersection between cultural and sustainable environments aimed at improving the microclimate of the area.

And the creation of biodiverse habitats, with hive rooftops and vegetable and herb gardens forming an important part of the design.

The new development, which will cover a total area of 83,000 square metres,

will include the design of a new Museum of Architecture and Design.

This will be held in a separate design competition scheduled to be launched in 2023.

The committee commended the distinctive features of the project

During the evaluation process, the judging panel commended the project for its distinctive features,

including the “ingenious urban form of the city’s sightlines.

A respectful treatment that addresses the historical values and cultural environment of the region,

creating a new unique layer on the national landscape level.

Makasiiniranta is a project much larger than its mere existence,

as it has the potential to revitalize the entire city center of Helsinki.

In South Harbor, the site is currently used for terminal and parking operations,

which will be relocated from downtown.

Being a central part of Helsinki’s national and marine landscapes,

the area is valuable but underutilized for the city.

Given the bio-natural, cultural and historical context of the specific site,

the conditions for the competition were very onerous.

The city of Helsinki tasked the competitors with reconciling new aspects of the development with existing built and natural environments.

With a particular focus on preserving the region’s respected and renovated historic buildings.

The three historic buildings that must be preserved include the Old Market Hall, Olympia Station,

and Satamatalo Building.

The design and development will also use sustainable and climate-smart building methods,

in line with Helsinki’s goals for carbon neutrality by 2035.

Attractive area

The restaurant, commercial and office buildings, the hotel included in the new construction,

and the cultural venues planned for the protected buildings of Samatalo and Olympia will also make the area attractive.

In addition, the new Museum of Architecture and Design to be built in Makasiiniranta will attract more locals and visitors to the area.

And Makasiiniranta will become more connected to the city center.

Where the winning plan will make the area a busy and enjoyable marine on the beaches of South Harbor.

The new Museum of Architecture and Design to be built in the area

will combine the existing specialized museums with the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum.

A separate design competition will be held for the museum building, which has been set to be launched in 2023 once the museum is completed.

The City of Helsinki has already appointed an advisory group,

made up of future-driven experts in art, design, architecture, museums, technology and more,

for the development phase of the new Museum of Architecture and Design in Helsinki.

The group is made up of 14 visionary experts,

who represent a wide range of backgrounds essential to the museum’s goal of becoming a leading museum.

They are: Paola Antonelli, Lisa Chung, Katrina Vack, Eva-Franch-i-Gelabert, Indy Johar, Nemko Colmi-Hussein,

Ervin Latimer, Linda Liukas, Kieran Long, Jawar Nanju, Hector Noval, Eva-Lisa Pelkonen, Johannes Soikkanen, and Timo Soviala. Majors.

Consultants are also invited to critically assess the development of the project,

challenge the concept and profile of the museum, and drive the future proof of the new museum.

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