What will a local cultural centre of the 2030s look like? This is now being considered in the Itäkeskus area where planning has begun for the renovation and extension of Itäkeskus’ Cultural Centre Stoa. To support the planning, a questionnaire has been opened to arts, culture and events operators, as well as organisations, associations and other parties holding activities in the building. The questionnaire will close on 12 December 2022 at 16:00.
The Cultural Centre currently houses cultural services, Itäkeskus Library, Kipinä Youth Centre, the Adult Education Centre, Arbis Östra and the Skutta Restaurant. It is of paramount importance for planners to hear the views of users and the accumulated tacit knowledge of the existing cultural centre facilities and their use. Through this questionnaire, we will chart the views, ideas and wishes of both current and future partners and those who organise activities in the building, regarding the Stoa facilities. When completed, the extension should be operational by the turn of the next decade, so the questionnaire also encourages respondents to envision the operating environment of the 2030s.
“Itis Siti” in the background
In 2019–2020, the City of Helsinki organised a public, international design competition “Helsinki East Urban Centre” for the design of the central areas of Itäkeskus and the Puotila metro station area. After the competition, a land use reference plan (by Arkkitehtitoimisto K2S ja Playa arkkitehdit, 9 April 2021) and planning principles were drawn up for the Stoa and Puhos area based on the second prize-winning proposal ITIS SITI, which was approved by the Urban Environment committee on 18 May 2021. The reference design explored the possibility of extending Stoa to the existing parking area, in accordance with the competition proposal.
A more detailed planning and needs assessment phase has now started. The aim is to prepare by January 2023 a preliminary functional concept for Cultural Centre Stoa, describing the shared functional vision, modes of operation and related space needs of Stoa. Based on the concept, the designers will prepare a facilities programme, that will be presented to city residents in spring 2023.
On the basis of the plan, the zoning provisions (building area, floor area, etc.) and regulations (connection to the environment, urban landscape, etc.) for Stoa and its extension will be drawn up. The plan will also be used as information and observational material for renovation, in particular in investment proposals concerning the extension, and as source material for project planning and other subsequent planning stages..
Thanks to all participants in advance! At the end of the questionnaire, you can also leave your contact details if you are interested in participating in the co-development phases of the project at a later stage.
Additional information
Reetta Heiskanen
Deputy Director of Culture
Culture and leisure
reetta.heiskanen@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Questions about the survey
Anne Euramaa
participation specialist
Culture and leisure
anne.euramaa@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)