Lahti is organizing an international Europan 18 idea competition for young architects and landscape architects for the Lahti Sports Centre area. At the end of summer, Lahti residents will be able to comment on the proposals.
The Europan 18 architecture competition aims to create an urban and landscape concept for the Lahti Sports Centre that adapts to various uses, both for major events and everyday use. The competition aims to achieve more versatile functions, improve comfort, and increase greenery.
– This does not determine the fate of individual projects, such as the multipurpose arena or the water sports center. It is necessary to structure the appearance and access routes of the area and make the Sports Centre ‘camera-ready’ in different seasons. The area should look like the hub of the Salpausselkä Geopark, says city architect Johanna Palomäki.
Competitors must consider the uniqueness of the area’s nature and landscape, as well as groundwater and stormwater. They need to propose solutions to strengthen the area’s green structure. All goals are underpinned by the circular economy – existing buildings and structures must be preserved and utilized whenever possible.
– The Europan concept is well-suited for an idea competition that seeks fresh thoughts for the area. The goal is to reconcile the needs of top-level sports and everyday physical activity in all seasons. The area aims to attract more people, from event participants to tourists. It is possible to implement the first part of the winning proposal by the 2029 World Championships, leaving a fitting legacy of the event in the sports centre, says Palomäki.
Thousands of designers participate in the Europan architecture competition, held every two years. There are nearly 50 competition sites across Europe. Competitors can submit proposals for one or more sites. Participants must be under 40 years old.
The competition period is from March 3 to June 29, 2025, after which an international jury will evaluate the proposals. The competition entries will also be open for comments from the residents of Lahti in late summer. The results will be announced at the end of the year. The area’s zoning plan will be reviewed and developed in stages based on the winning proposal in the coming years.
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