MASSLAB + AFRY win competition to design the Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area
14/03/2023.
[Pasila - Helsinki] Finland
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
MASSLAB + AFRY Ark Studio won the Finnish Train Factory Mixed-Use Competition, hosted by the Train Factory Group and Helsinki Municipality. The aim is to develop a new urban facility for the Pasila machine shop area in Helsinki.
The former electric train building is transformed into a 45,000 sqm office, retail, and hotel building and reimagined as a part of the social, commercial, and cultural hub in historical heritage.
The proposal was selected from among five entries in an international competition, that took place in two separate selection phases. Participants included: Cobe + Schauman & Nordgren Architects, Architects Lahdelma & Mahlamäki; Rudanko + Kankkunen Architects, and Tommila Architects & Kaleidoscope Architectural & Urban Design.
The former electric train building is transformed into a 45,000 sqm office, retail, and hotel building and reimagined as a part of the social, commercial, and cultural hub in historical heritage.
The proposal was selected from among five entries in an international competition, that took place in two separate selection phases. Participants included: Cobe + Schauman & Nordgren Architects, Architects Lahdelma & Mahlamäki; Rudanko + Kankkunen Architects, and Tommila Architects & Kaleidoscope Architectural & Urban Design.
Rendering. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY. Image by Barbar.
Rendering. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY. Image by Barbar.
Rendering. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY. Image by Barbar.
Rendering. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY. Image by Barbar.
Site plan. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Ground floor plan. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Podium floor plan. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Third floor plan. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Seventh floor plan. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Long section. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Catheatral section. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Konepajanpasaasi section. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Traversikuja elevation. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Konepajanpasaasi elevation. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Teollisuuskatu elevation. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Detail structure section. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Façade detail. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Landscape detail. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Axonometric. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Diagram. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Ground floor space axonometric. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Icone scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Program scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Spatial scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Concept scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Concept scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Concept scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Concept scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Concept scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Concept scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Diagram structure. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Façade scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Façade scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
The winning proposal by MASSLAB and AFRY seeks to be a catalyst to renew the area through a comprehensive urban redesign, where the building attached to the 1970s workshop would become an integral part of the everyday life of the inhabitants of the area.
The project doesn’t impose itself as a new building but as a system of uses, actions and habits. The entire street level is organized around an organic vaulted ceiling that invites you in. On top is a green platform where you have views over the city.
During the development of the proposal, the involvement of the developer, public authorities and most importantly the people that dwell around the intervention site was a constant and invaluable asset.
The design went above and beyond opting for an unconventional form that permitted a cost-efficient building, suited for everchanging needs. The wood at ground level, part of the Finnish ethos, invites us to move and participate in urban life. The brick is a continuous dialogue with the surroundings. As for the glass top, it dissolves the building into the landscape of Helsinki.
Rendering. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY. Image by Barbar.
Program Scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Project description by MASSLAB
The former electric train building of the Pasila machine shop area in Helsinki will be transformed into a 45,000 sqm office, retail, and hotel building and reimagined as a part of the social, commercial, and cultural hub in historical heritage.
The new Train Factory area should be for everyone - a mixed-use neighbourhood that accommodates a system of paths, parks, plazas, and open spaces that encourages people to spend more time outdoors, together. A place where there is space for both an active life and a quiet retreat. A new tiny forest combined with a thriving multi-level public space will become a destination in the city, inviting visitors with a full offering of cultural life, sports, and leisure activities.
The design proposal went above and beyond to materialize an apparently impossible proposal. Opting for an unconventional form permitted a cost-efficient building, suited for everchanging needs. The wood at ground level, part of the Finnish ethos, invites us to move and participate in urban life. The brick is a continuous dialogue with the surroundings. As for the glass top, it dissolves the building into the landscape of Helsinki. This makes these options both evident and irreverent. A rather closed area can become a new nucleus for urban renewal and reinvention. Reimagining landscape and cityscape as one offers a step forward as we try to reinvent social norms and daily life.
Program Scheme. Mixed Use building for the Pasila Machine Shop Area by MASSLAB + AFRY.
Our vision for the Train Factory will enhance and build upon the rich cultural heritage of the area, which hosts relevant historical buildings and large public spaces. A strategy based on a unique blend of special cultural heritage and forward-thinking solutions, where the ambition is to set an example that contributes to the sustainable aspirations of the municipality and benefits everyone in the city by generating a variety of public spaces that can be used all year around.
More information
Architects
Project team MASSLAB
Diogo Sousa Rocha, Duarte Ramalho Fontes, Lourenço Menezes Rodrigues, Amr Ragaei, Joana Milhais Ferreira Francesca Piccini, Içim Atli, Diogo Parente Mina, Federico Vidilini, Filippo Bravi, José Girão, Wladimir Pulupa, Klaudia Trębska, Ramona Dünser, Chaz Sweers, Rodrigo Waihiwe.
Project team AFRY
Esa Piispanen, Elizaveta Parkkonen, Leonardo Kontinen, Ahti Rantonen, Maarit Suomenkorpi, Reilin, Juha-Pekka, SophieDorn.
Client
Train Factory Oy + Helsinki Municipality.
Area
45,000 m².
Dates
2022.
Location
Pasila - Helsinki, Finland.
3D Images
Diogo Sousa Rocha, Duarte Ramalho Fontes, Lourenço Rodrigues Menezes. MASSLAB
MASSLAB is a progressive and contemporary design studio engaged in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and comprehensive planning. The Porto-based studio was founded in 2014, is led by Diogo Sousa Rocha, Duarte Ramalho Fontes, and Lourenço Rodrigues Menezes, and currently employs 35 full-time staff.
Diogo Sousa Rocha obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, Portugal. More recently he took an MBA in Business in PBS and IE. Now he engaged in Business Innovation at the University of California, at Haas. In 2013 he collaborated with Aflalo e Gasperini in São Paulo, Brazil. From 2014 till now he worked inside the Architecture filed, starting MASS Lab in 2015 with his two partners.
Duarte Ramalho Fontes is graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, Portugal. From 2011 to 2013 he collaborated with OODA in Porto on multiple projects in Europe and Asia. Since 2007 Duarte has collaborated for multiple projects and competitions with names like Camilo Rebelo, Graça Correia or Adalberto Dias. Duarte also collaborated with BIG Bjarke Ingels Group in Copenhagen from 2012 to 2013 on multiple projects. In 2014 he founded MASS lab with his two partners.
Lourenço Rodrigues Menezes obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, Portugal. From 2011 to 2013 he collaborated with OODA in Porto on multiple projects in Europe and Asia. From 2013 to 2014 he worked at Kengo KUMA in Paris. Back in Portugal, he collaborated with Adalberto Dias. From 2014 to 2015, Lourenço worked for Rem Koolhaas' OMA in Rotterdam, where he designed for multiple projects and competitions. In 2014 he founded MASS lab with his two partners.
Diogo Sousa Rocha obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, Portugal. More recently he took an MBA in Business in PBS and IE. Now he engaged in Business Innovation at the University of California, at Haas. In 2013 he collaborated with Aflalo e Gasperini in São Paulo, Brazil. From 2014 till now he worked inside the Architecture filed, starting MASS Lab in 2015 with his two partners.
Duarte Ramalho Fontes is graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, Portugal. From 2011 to 2013 he collaborated with OODA in Porto on multiple projects in Europe and Asia. Since 2007 Duarte has collaborated for multiple projects and competitions with names like Camilo Rebelo, Graça Correia or Adalberto Dias. Duarte also collaborated with BIG Bjarke Ingels Group in Copenhagen from 2012 to 2013 on multiple projects. In 2014 he founded MASS lab with his two partners.
Lourenço Rodrigues Menezes obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, Portugal. From 2011 to 2013 he collaborated with OODA in Porto on multiple projects in Europe and Asia. From 2013 to 2014 he worked at Kengo KUMA in Paris. Back in Portugal, he collaborated with Adalberto Dias. From 2014 to 2015, Lourenço worked for Rem Koolhaas' OMA in Rotterdam, where he designed for multiple projects and competitions. In 2014 he founded MASS lab with his two partners.
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