Architectural competition for Vuores central blocks begins
The competition seeks a planning solution for the local detailed plan, which strengthens the centre of Vuores, in particular, but also the entire district, as well as its identity, attraction and retention.
The local detailed plan of the area includes oversized reservations for commercial construction and public buildings, in view of the current, changed needs of trade and public services. However, the area lacks everyday services that residents need, such as a grocery store suitable for the size of the area.
After the complementary construction, Vuores centre will strengthen its position as the heart of the district, where most of public and private services and other daily activities will be concentrated.
The competition area extends over five blocks with Vuoresaukio square and part of Vuoreksen puistokatu street. The size of the competition area is approximately 3.2 hectares. The competition area is located in Vuores, approximately 8 kilometres south of the city centre of Tampere, close to the municipal border of Tampere and Lempäälä, along good transport connections, in the vicinity of forest areas and lakes.
Architecturally distinctive centre area
The aim of the competition is to form a visually, functionally and architecturally distinctive entity, which is still missing from the only partially realised central block area of the Vuores district.
The competition seeks ideas for the design of high-quality blocks containing housing, commercial space and public services, as well as for strengthening the green environment and service network, not to forget sustainability objectives.
The aim is to strengthen Vuores' unique cityscape and to create a high-quality, versatile and sustainable living environment. In addition to the grocery store, preparations for supplementing and improving the service network include youth and library facilities. The smooth running of public transport, as well as walking and cycling in the area will be promoted, but centralised parking is also needed. The Vuoresaukio square and other public areas are comprehensively developed as pleasant, high-quality outdoor spaces that support diversity.
Vuores is one of the younger districts in Tampere. Its planning, which began in the early 2000s, and later construction have focused on climate friendliness, sustainability and carbon footprint. The aim is to further strengthen these objectives. Vuores has had pilot sites for stormwater treatment, vacuum waste collection and wood construction.
Construction continues throughout Vuores. Construction work is started on Vuores' apartment block, terraced house and detached house plots at regular intervals. Approximately 300 to 600 apartments have been completed in Vuores, in a year. In total, some 4,300 apartments have been completed in Vuores, Tampere, by the end of 2023. At the beginning of 2024, there were over 7,600 residents in Vuores, Tampere.
Architectural competition schedule and additional information
The competition period is between 21 August and 22 November 2024. This is an EU-wide one-stage open competition under the public procurement procedure, in which a participant or team member is required to have the right to practice the profession of an architect in their own country. The competition will follow the competition programme and the competition rules of the Finnish Association of Architects.
• Starting seminar of the competition (hybrid implementation) 23 August 2024
• Questions by competitors, by 6 September 2024
• Answers to questions, by 18 September 2024
• Submission of competition entries, by 22 November 2024 at 16.00 (UTC+3)
• Competition entries on display on the competition website at the turn of the year
• Publication of the results of the competition and award ceremony: target schedule March 2025
• Award-winning competition entries displayed on the competition website,
after the results have been published
Further information and the competition programme with background material have been published on the competition website.
