Tammela Stadium nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Architecture

–  When selecting candidates for the Finlandia Prize for Architecture, an important evaluation criterion was how the architecture stands time and use and what it represents in our time, Professor Jenni Reuter explains.

The pre-selection jury estimates that the most valuable feature of Tammela Stadium’s architecture is its ability to create a diverse urban culture in the city centre. The stadium’s wire-hung stand cover is impressively sculpturesque. Thanks to the hanging structure, there are no pillars in the stands, and every seat has an unobstructed view of the field. The interior of the stadium is carefully designed and opens up in different directions in a rich manner.

The construction of Tammela Stadium was completed in the centre of Tampere this spring. It includes not only a football stadium and stands for spectators but also a residential block as well as business and parking facilities. Tammela Stadium was designed by Samuli Miettinen (principal designer), Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela and Juha Mäki-Jyllilä from JKMM Architects, as well as project architects Alli Bur, Harri Koski and Kristian Forsberg.

In addition to Jenni Reuter, architects Harri Hautajärvi and Kirsi Korhonen as well as Professor Matti Sanaksenaho were part of the pre-selection jury of the Finlandia Prize for Architecture. Architect Paula Huotelin served as the secretary of the pre-selection jury.

The four other candidates for the Finlandia Prize for Architecture are the Hyytiälä forest station in Juupajoki, the Lamminrahka education centre in Kangasala, the institute building Lastu in Järvenpää and the renovation of the Tapiola church.

The winner of the Finlandia Prize for Architecture will be selected by Antti Kuronen

War Correspondent Antti Kuronen will select the winner of the prize. He says that he has often thought about architecture when travelling the world of conflict areas. What kind of buildings have been invested in? Are the metropolitan city centres and remote areas like from two different worlds?

–  The great thing about Finland is that public utility buildings are invested in everywhere around the nation, not just in urban centres. Equality, that no one is left behind, is still an important value in Finland, assesses Kuronen.

The Finlandia Prize for Architecture will be awarded for the 11th time this year. The prize is awarded for the design or renovation of a building or group of buildings completed in the last three years. The prize can be awarded for a design implemented in Finland by either a Finnish or foreign architect or architect office or for a design implemented abroad by a Finnish architect or architect office.

The purpose of the prize is to increase appreciation for high-quality creative architecture and to highlight the importance of architecture in increasing cultural value and well-being. The pre-selection jury appointed by the Executive Board of the Finnish Association of Architects’ (SAFA) selects the finalists, out of which a new juror selects the winner of the prize every year.

SAFA is a professional organisation for architects that works actively to promote architecture and the quality of the built environment. Approximately 3,100 architects with a university degree are members of SAFA, founded in 1892. SAFA also has more than 600 student members.