• 2015
  • Siikaluoto open architectural competition
  • Concept name “Syke” (Hearbeat)
  • Ranking Purchase
  • Scope floor area 40 000 m2
  • Location Siikaluoto, Pietarsaari

Starting point

The idea competition’s theme was transforming Siikaluoto from an industrial area to a part of a lively city centre. The competition aimed to find far-reaching solutions to create a new, appealing city district in an old industrial area.

Location

The area is located across the railway, east of the centre of Pietarsaari. The area is industrial by nature, consisting of old machine shops and foundries that are being phased out of use.

Solution

An alley running between the machine shop and the foundry was converted into a “Heartbeat Lane”, a new kind of an active urban space with outdoor fitness and play equipment. 

The area’s appeal is in the preservation of its industrial appearance.

The new urban infill structure on the core of the area aims at a small town feel. A good pedestrian scale offers a lot to see and explore while strolling on the streets at 4 km/h.  

In contrast, a showy entrance for the city is built on the speed-scale of cars, with large retail shops and a stadium greeting arriving visitors on Itäinen Rengastie Road.