Härmälä Lakefront

  • Location: Tampere, Finland
  • Client: City of Tampere
  • Program: Housing and Camping area
  • Size: 25000 m2
  • Year: 2025
  • Status: 3rd prize, Open competition
  • Collaborators: Ludvig Holtenäs (images)
  • Team: Ted Schauman, Jonas Nordgren, Kristian Kontula, Lasse Vejlgård Kristensen, Amanda Edesvik
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Finger-plan principle, where built areas extend between green corridors.

Härmälä – A neighbourhood shaped by nature

The new urban plan is based on the finger-plan principle, connecting housing, nature, and mobility through green corridors and active routes.

A compact and diverse residential block links seamlessly with a denser camping area and the historic Lepola Villa surroundings. Residential buildings are placed in the east, the camping site remains central, and Leirintäkatu Street organizes the layout—uniting the two zones into one functional whole. At its end, a public square with a restaurant, café, and shop serves both residents and visitors.

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New structure is carefully positioned to preserve the existing landscape

New development is carefully positioned to preserve key landscape and ecological features. Existing tree lines and notable plantings are retained and integrated into the new structure.
Two main walking and cycling routes connect the area to the surrounding city, following existing paths to minimize impact. The southern route passes through the arrival square and housing blocks, while the northern route links the forested shoreline to Härmälä Shore Park.

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Combines apartments and row houses to promote social diversity and community life

Leirintäkatu serves as the main access for both housing and camping. Parking is concentrated in a four-story garage set into the slope, with visitor parking at street level. Service and emergency access are provided within the courtyards.
The residential block combines apartments and row houses to promote social diversity and community life. Waterfront buildings are primarily owner-occupied, while those further inland offer rental housing arranged around green, shared courtyards.

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Project images