Espoo Cultural Centre

The design envisions a renewed public space Kulttuuriaukio (the culture square) that will integrate the current Cultural Centre better to the the garden city of Tapiola.
The original building, designed in the 80’s by Arto Sipinen, will grow substantially into a more versatile hub of culture spaces.
The vibrant culture cluster of the new Cultural Centre adds a contemporary layer to Tapiola.
The new performance hall allows flexible stage and seating layouts, encouraging diversity of artistic expression.
The foyer of the new performance hall opens to the Kulttuuriaukio bringing its events to the public realm.
The opening divides the square into a paved bowl and a green hill. The undulating shapes invite to enjoy the square and its events and guide visitors to the main entrance of the Cultural Centre.
Spacious new stairs connects the main levels of the Cultural Centre and bring natural light to the lower level.
Subtle interventions amend the 80's part of the Cultural Centre by a reflecting pool. The library extension and new exhibition spaces open the current building more to the exterior.
An inviting event stair connects the library spaces on the Culture Square level to the spaces by the reflecting pool.

Espoo Cultural Centre

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    Description:

    The design envisions a renewed public space Kulttuuriaukio (the culture square) that will better integrate the current Espoo Cultural Centre to the the garden city of Tapiola.

    The original building, designed in the 80’s by Arto Sipinen, will grow substantially into a more versatile hub of culture spaces. It will include a new large, well-equipped performance hall and the extended Tapiola library.

    The foyer of the new performance hall opens to the Kulttuuriaukio square thus bringing its events to the public realm. The opening of the foyer divides the square into a paved bowl and a green hill. The undulating shapes invite to enjoy the square, engage in its events and guide visitors to the main entrance of the Cultural Centre.

    The design was developed in collaboration with Arkkitehdit Mustonen Oy and Loci Maisema-arkkitehdit Oy.

     

    Status

    Invited competition 2018,
    1st prize

    Location

    Tapiola, Espoo, Finland

    Program

    Cultural centre refurbishment and extension (26 000 m²),
    housing (16 000 m²) and commercial spaces (7 000 m²)

    Client

    The City of Espoo

    Collaborators

    Arkkitehdit Mustonen Oy (Cultural Centre refurbishment)
    Loci Maisema-arkkitehdit Oy (Landscape architecture)

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