Participants in the competition will be tasked with envisioning a comprehensive plan where new construction, a campsite and the culturally and historically valuable Lepola villa will be naturally linked to each other, the lakeside scenery and the existing environment. Campsite operations will be concentrated in a smaller area than before, which will free up space for new construction.
Campsite operations may also be modernised. A new use for the Lepola villa is being sought. There is also a need to improve pedestrian and cycling routes.
The competition is an open, single-stage general architectural competition. The competition is open to individuals and teams. The hope is that competitors will form multidisciplinary teams of experts where landscape design, tourism and sustainable construction expertise will also be included.
At least one member of the team must have the right to practise the profession of architect in their own country. The competition is organised in co-operation with the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) in accordance with the competition rules of the association.
The themes of the design process include nature positivity and highlighting the values of the cultural environment and shoreline. In particular, a natural look is sought for the shore area. Another objective is to produce shared housing and tourism locations and facilities, which will also benefit local residents.
Some of the current campsite is to be converted to residential use and infilled. Residential buildings must be diverse and suitable for different groups of residents. Diverse construction requires a diverse selection of housing options. Both owner-occupied housing and affordable rental housing must also be included.
Services in the area rely primarily on camping-related operations, which benefit both tourists and all residents in the Härmälä area. For example, a campsite operator may offer recreational services related to the shoreline. Most of the shore area will be designated as a natural public park.
The goal is to publish the competition proposals under pseudonyms on the competition website in May-June 2025. The public will be able to comment on the proposals. The comments will then be communicated to the jury of the competition: According to the preliminary schedule, the competition results will be published at the end of 2025.
A new town plan for the area will be drafted based on the competition's results. The participation and assessment plan for the new plan was available for viewing in June 2024.
The competition website and contract notice have been published on 31 January. The competition programme and its appendices can be downloaded from the competition website. The submission deadline for competition proposals is by 4 p.m. on 29 April.
For more information on the competition, please contact competition secretary Annina Vainio from A-insinöörit. E-mail: [email protected]
