Kumpulan Haikaranpesä proposal wins the Kätilöopisto quality and concept competition

The City of Helsinki sought a partner for the development of the Kätilöopisto Maternity Hospital area with a two-stage quality and concept competition in 2022–2023. Now, the Urban Environment Committee has been asked to reserve the Kätilöopisto plot for the winner of the competition, Deas Asset Management Finland Oy. The aim is to continue planning the area through partnership planning in cooperation with the City. The Urban Environment Committee will discuss the matter at its meeting on 31 October 2023.
The jury were of the opinion that the winning Kumpulan Haikaranpesä proposal fits new buildings into the landscape and environment in a natural manner. Photo: Anttinen Oiva arkkitehdit Oy
The jury were of the opinion that the winning Kumpulan Haikaranpesä proposal fits new buildings into the landscape and environment in a natural manner. Photo: Anttinen Oiva arkkitehdit Oy

Developer for the Kätilöopisto area sought with a two-stage competition

The aim of the competition was to find a comprehensive, high-quality and feasible development solution for the competition area, which would include the renovation and re-purposing of the hospital building. Entrants were also allowed to propose replacing a part of the building complex with new buildings. Proposals could designate different types of housing, business premises, accommodation or other operations for the competition area.

The competition was intended for operators in the construction and real estate industry or consortia formed by these that have the technical, economic and other conditions to plan and complete a very demanding and high-quality construction project by the set deadline. In the first stage of the competition, the City selected four submitted proposals, three of which were further refined and advanced to the second stage. At both stages, the competition proposals were made available for public commenting in the Kerrokantasi service.

The winner chosen by the competition jury was the proposal Kumpulan Haikaranpesä, which was prepared by a working group consisting of Deas Asset Management Finland Oy, Anttinen Oiva Arkkitehdit Oy, Masu Planning Oy, A-insinöörit Rakennuttaminen Oy, A-insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy and Sweco Finland Oy.

The jury were of the opinion that the winning Kumpulan Haikaranpesä proposal fits new buildings into the landscape and environment in a natural manner, contributing to the creation of a functional city structure and high-quality urban space that is also appealing on a pedestrian scale. The proposal successfully considers the area as a whole, integrates new construction and the identity and values of the area and creates effective preconditions for the further development of the Kätilöopisto Maternity Hospital area. 

The development of the area will continue in close cooperation between the City of Helsinki and the winning consortium. Decisions on the approval of the local detailed plan to be prepared for the area and the sale of the plot and building will be made separately at a later date.