The aim of developing the Autotalo block is to make more effective use of the entire block, improve its functionality and make the area more lively. The intention of the architecture competition was to mainly plan office and business premises for the Autotalo block, which currently functions as a parking area and street, and to develop the use of the block. The aim of the competition was to find a planning solution that will take into account the area’s special characteristics and points of departure related to the cityscape as well as result in a high-quality, interesting block.
The competition included many interesting and distinct solution models for developing the Autotalo block. The judge panel was unanimous in choosing the “Cabriolet” proposal as the winner of the competition. ARCO Architecture Company was behind the proposal.
The competition assessment focused on how the goals, requirements and planning guidelines of the planning programme were taken into account. In their assessment, the judge panel highlighted the proposal’s cityscape quality, feasibility and opportunities for further development. Suitability to the environment was considered to be more important than its functional details. The proposals were also published on the Voice Your Opinion online service for residents viewing and comments during 13–27 March 2024. Resident feedback was considered by the judge panels.
Planning for the block will continue and preparations for a change to the detailed plan will begin based on the winning proposal. In further planning, the solution will be developed from both the cityscape and functional perspectives.
The architecture competition opened in December 2023. The competition was arranged by Local Tapiola Real Estate Management and the City of Helsinki. The competition was arranged as an invitational, with proposals requested from leading architectural agencies. Architectural agencies included in the competition were ARCO Architecture Company, Opus Architecture, JKMM Architects and PES-Architects.