Tammela Stadium received Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2024: Bold new ideas for urban culture

– The Finlandia Prize for Architecture 2024 emphasises the importance of the unique Tammela Stadium for urban culture. The stadium is proof of successful cooperation and a shared vision that has brought us something exceptional. I am glad that bold decisions are being made in Tampere, and that the work we do here is widely recognised, says Mayor Kalervo Kummola.
 
Journalist Antti Kuronen, who selected the winner from five finalists, was impressed by the way the Tammela Stadium was adapted to a relatively small land area in the middle of the residential blocks in central Tampere, as if hidden from the rest of the world. In his opinion, the Tammela Stadium is an example of new kind of thinking in urban planning.

– The stadium has not been built as a monument that outsiders should admire. On the contrary, it is built as a secret football sanctuary that only opens up when you step in from the street, Kuronen says.

He applauds that the block has not only been dedicated to football, but that the space also benefits others. Ecological aspects have also been taken into account in the fact that the stadium is easily accessible by public transport.

Significant recognition of cooperation 

Opened this year, the Tammela Stadium was built by the City of Tampere and it is Finland’s first large-scale football stadium in a city centre. Dense hybrid construction involving several building types and different functions required courage and perseverance from all parties. 

– The Finlandia Prize for Architecture is not only a significant recognition for architecture in Tampere but also for the cooperation between representatives and elected officials, which has been persistently carried out through council terms and organisations in this challenging but interesting project, says Virpi Ekholm, Director of Real Estate and Housing. 

The project’s principal designer Samuli Miettinen from JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy also emphasises that the implementation of open-minded ideas was successful thanks to exceptional cooperation between the parties.  

– It has been a pleasure to be involved in building a sustainable city and to bring sport and culture to be a natural part of its people’s lives. We also wanted to show this joy to the public through the stadium shelters that curve into a smile, Miettinen explains.

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. 

Unobstructed view from all seats

The stadium has approximately 8,000 seats and offers space for up to 15,000 people for concerts. The hybrid block consists of a football court, a covered stand and a residential block built around the stadium. As the cover is hung by metal wires from the ceiling, there are no pillars in the stands, and every seat has an unobstructed view of the field.

The football stadium has under-soil heating and artificial grass, and it meets the essential requirements of the UEFA 4 category, meaning that the pitch is also suitable for Euro and national team matches. The stadium company Ilves Oy is responsible for the operation of the Tammela Stadium.

The pre-selection jury appointed by the Executive Board of the Finnish Association of Architects’ (SAFA) selects the finalists, out of which the changing juror selects the winner of the prize every year. The prize is awarded for the design or renovation of a new building or group of buildings completed in the last three years. 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.

This year, the runner-ups were the Hyytiälä Forest Station in Juupajoki, Lamminrahka School Centre in Kangasala, Lastu college building in Järvenpää and the renovation of the Tapiola Church.

SAFA is a professional organisation for architects that works actively to promote architecture and the quality of the built environment.