finfactory: Sörnäistenranta-Hermanninranta

Current aerial photo of the site area.

The area of Helsinki where the neighborhood of Sörnäistenranta-Hermanninranta is located.

A digital rendering of the future development of Sörnäistenranta-Hermanninranta.

The port of Helsinki is constructing a new harbor north of the city center in a location called Vuosaari Harbor. It will become the main port for Helsinki combining the Finnish maritime administration with train and road administrations. Most of the current harbor and port facilities within the Helsinki region are relocating to Vuosaari Harbor. The relocation of these facilities opens up more than 7 kilometers of the Helsinki waterfront for new use

Looking north at the Sörnäistenranta-Hermanninranta area.

Silos mixed with residential buildings.

Sörnäistenranta-Hermanninranta is one of first modern harbors to be constructed in Helsinki connecting the rail line and the sea. It is a neighborhood located on the northeast shores of Helsinki, and all of its facilities are in the processes of closing or relocating to Vuosaari Harbor. Currently the city, looking for ideas of what to do with the neighborhood, is holding a variety of competitions for the site. Two important goals are to provide housing for15,000 new residents and to create 5000-7000 jobs.

Hanasaari Power Plant built in 1974 dominates the cityscape in an area composed of smoke stacks, coal elevators, and large brick facades. An enormous pile of coal sits on the waterfront side. This building, whose functions will be transferred to the new port, occupies a huge amount of the waterfront in the area.

Hanasaari Power Plant from the west.

This building was built in 1908, designed by Selim Lindqvist, for the Suvilahti Power Plant. In recent years it ceased functioning as a power plant and has been adapted for a number of different uses: theaters, art installations, warehouses, sports facilities, including a branch of Solmon sports.

Large portions of the site are being demolished, making way for new residential and commercial structures.

Today the area is filled with a variety of red brick industrial buildings. Many of these are still in use; some have already been adapted for new use; others lie vacant or are being torn down. The network of roads, train tracks, and on/off ramps creates an ugly transportation snake pit. The industrial character of the area raises many tricky issues for city planners hoping to create an attractive new residential and commercial neighborhood. Heavy traffic and roads designed for semi-trucks and industrial equipment make it unappealing for residential and commercial uses. The scale of many of the buildings, while suitable for industrial purposes, is inappropriate for most human activity. The street walls are typically overbearing and unfriendly to pedestrians. These and other issues related to large scale urban relocation and adaptation have created a challenging environment for those competing to come up with a workable design for Helsinki’s future.

A closer look at the turbine hall of the Suvilahti Power Plant.

Many smaller administrations buildings are scattered around the area, most of which are vacant today.

Buildings belonging to a gas company designed by Lindqvist are located adjacent to the power plant and match its color scheme.

A typical street in the Sörnäistenranta-Hermanninranta neighborhood lined with red brick buildings and large loading zones.

Helsinki Municipal Slaughterhouse built in 1933 and designed by Bertel Liljeqvist. The large structure is a refrigeration tower with the administration building adjacent to it. The build ceased functioning as a slaughterhouse in 1992 and since then has played a number of roles in Helsinki’s food industry.