Name: “Runko” = scaffolding / framework (structural / contextual)
Architecture: Runko is a modular system of 5.25 x 5.25m cubes, forming an exoskeleton with articulated node connections. Towards West the cubes compress, responding to the neighbouring city blocks solidity, aligning with elevations of existing context. Towards East the cubes expand, providing porosity and openness towards the waterfront. Towards South the cubes arrange playfully in dialogue with the adjacent park hill, offering urban-landscape terraces. The cubes step down towards SAARET, harmonious with the neighbouring volumes.
Towards North the resulting interplay of cubes forms an iconic architectonic expression, unique yet respectful, integrated into the existing cityscape. The architectural language is expanded into “Runko Puisto” park design.
The ground level under Runko is a covered “24/7” public square, connecting waterfront and cityscape, museum, park and all the various public functions of South harbour area. Outermost exoskeleton is executed in hand brushed low-carbon steel. Another layer of white iridescent ceramics covers the exoskeleton in zone adjacent to the perimeter glazing. Terraces are positioned all along the northern, eastern and southern perimeter, communicating sense of openness and accessibility, alive with visitors taking a break during their explorations.
Right in the heart of the building, a large spherical Atrium is strategically positioned providing visual overview of all the program, at any given point along the visitor’s journey. In juxtaposition to the cubes, the sphere serves as a moment of surprise – a spark of an idea within an existing cultural / intellectual context framework. Spherical Atrium is also visible from below to people passing under the building towards waterfront, enticing them to enter and explore.
Construction Cost: Modular system with high degree of repetition allows serial manufacturing and pre-assembly at factory, minimizing on-site construction time. Value engineering strategies and future expansion possibilities are part of early stage design concept already - the whole system is like a set of blocks, easy to reduce or expand, according to budget adjustments if needed.
Landscape: The park’s design seamlessly integrates with the building’s architectonic language, transforming the hard scape water-front into a lush, experiential space. Tähti-torninmäki’s greenery flows along the building towards the sea, creating landscape continuity. Western part of park features a forest-like experience with dense birch and pine trees. In contrast, eastern part is open, filled with flower meadows, water-sprays and small ponds and kid’s play areas. “Runko Puisto” will be used as real-life-example sustainability education tool: helping to visualize how many trees and how much time is needed to “grow back” the amount of wood used in the sphere Atrium timber cladding, as well as featuring display tracker showing how much oxygen the trees produce and how much CO2 they absorb
Exhibition Strategy: Flexible modular cubes system allows for easy exhibition set-up. Workshops are interspersed throughout, showcasing tools related to ongoing exhibitions. Workshop and gallery entrances are visible across the whole Atrium, like an enticing menu for visitors to select their next destination. The 1st floor 100m2 exhibition space features artworks created in workshops by Runko’s visitors. The selection is also curated by Runko’s visitors, via simple voting system. An up-vote button next to the artwork decides which items stay on display, the rest is replaced with fresh new batch from the workshops.
