Helsinki East Urban Centre
In collaboration with Trium Arkkitehdit Oy, Sitowise and Sweco, our concept would transform Itäkeskus and Puotila into a denser, more intensive city centre that would anchor Eastern Helsinki’s future development. Spatial and transport solutions would form the backbone of a new people-centric East Helsinki urban centre.
Itäväylä is divided into two low-speed city boulevards framing a new central block featuring high-rise construction, including underground parking, lively street level commercial space and an elevated deck level that facilitates north–south connections across the boulevards. The mixed-use tower buildings provide residential, commercial, office and hotel premises. In addition to the towers, a multifunctional Town Hall is located inside a traffic roundabout, providing city services at the pedestrian level, with offices and housing above. A covered winter garden is located inside the Town Hall, creating a vibrant, year-round public space for residents and visitors alike. The surrounding area is allocated to smaller-scale, wooden residential blocks with shared courtyard spaces that promote social interactions between residents and incorporate ecological landscapes that contribute to stormwater management and habitat creation.
Around the divided boulevards, pedestrian and cycling networks operate on both the street and elevated deck level. Both local and regional cycling routes pass through the area, and routes are designed to provide safe, direct, comprehensive and hassle-free connections. Two new covered transit hubs for the metro and tram connections facilitate an easy transition between public transportation and micro-mobility services such as city bikes.
The existing Stoa Cultural Centre and Puhos shopping centre are enhanced with the introduction of new cultural and event buildings. Itäkeskus supports a multicultural population, and the new building functions celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. The proposal presents a bold transformation of Itäkeskus, balancing majestic modernity and a more intimate wood construction environment, creating a consciously contrasting cityscape.
Itäväylä is divided into two low-speed city boulevards framing a new central block featuring high-rise construction, including underground parking, lively street level commercial space and an elevated deck level that facilitates north–south connections across the boulevards. The mixed-use tower buildings provide residential, commercial, office and hotel premises. In addition to the towers, a multifunctional Town Hall is located inside a traffic roundabout, providing city services at the pedestrian level, with offices and housing above. A covered winter garden is located inside the Town Hall, creating a vibrant, year-round public space for residents and visitors alike. The surrounding area is allocated to smaller-scale, wooden residential blocks with shared courtyard spaces that promote social interactions between residents and incorporate ecological landscapes that contribute to stormwater management and habitat creation.
Around the divided boulevards, pedestrian and cycling networks operate on both the street and elevated deck level. Both local and regional cycling routes pass through the area, and routes are designed to provide safe, direct, comprehensive and hassle-free connections. Two new covered transit hubs for the metro and tram connections facilitate an easy transition between public transportation and micro-mobility services such as city bikes.
The existing Stoa Cultural Centre and Puhos shopping centre are enhanced with the introduction of new cultural and event buildings. Itäkeskus supports a multicultural population, and the new building functions celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. The proposal presents a bold transformation of Itäkeskus, balancing majestic modernity and a more intimate wood construction environment, creating a consciously contrasting cityscape.
