“Lights over Kruunuvuorenranta” design competition
The City of Helsinki organised the “Lights over Kruunuvuorenranta” design competition for the artistic lighting of the new Kruunuvuorenranta residential area. The competition was part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 programme, which aims to promote the city’s development through design.
Kruunuvuorenranta, the new neighbourhood being constructed on the west shore of Laajasalo opposite Helsinki city centre, will be a neighbourhood of light. The lighting of Kruunuvuorenranta will be designed based on the winning works of an international lighting competition.
Two entries share first place of the Lights over Kruunuvuorenranta lighting competition
The lighting of Kruunuvuorenranta will be based on an international invitational competition organised by the City of Helsinki. Four groups were selected for the competition from among the applications. The invited groups hail from the United Kingdom, Holland, France and Austria.
It was decided to award two first prizes. The winning proposals are ’Into the Light’ by the Austrian group Bartenbach LichtLabor GmbH and ’Luonnon lyhdyt’ (Nature’s lanterns) by the Dutch West 8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture and Speirs and Major Associates.
‘Into the Light’ bases its concept strongly on natural light and the different properties of different seasons, making darkness an important part of the lighting solution. The area has been designed in such a way that, viewed from outside, its different subsections are lit with different intensities, and functionally significant places and the light artworks on the shore will be highlighted.
’Luonnon lyhdyt’ (Nature’s lanterns) is an entry whose lighting solution is founded on views that open up in natural light, the materials used in the area, the area's vegetation, the seasons and human activities. ’Luonnon lyhdyt’ (Nature’s lanterns) is rich in detail and experiential ideas. The plan emphasises the importance of light in the communality between residents and in everyday surroundings.
The winning entries are mainly based on LED technology. The lighting has been designed to be controlled so that the light’s colour temperature and the amount of light will follow the changing seasons and match the lighting need and intended activity.
In the 2020s, people in Helsinki city centre will be able to admire the 'environmental artwork' formed by Kruunuvuorenranta when it is dark or visit the location to examine the unique lighting solutions and light artworks in closer detail.
Lights over Kruunuvuorenranta Jury Report >>
Oil silo 468
The Kruunuvuorenranta Oil silo 468 light artwork was lit on 10 October 2012 at 7 pm.
‘Oil silo 468’ (Öljysäiliö 468) is the first light artwork to be illuminated in the Kruunuvuorenranta area. It was lit on Wednesday 10 October 2012 at 7 pm. The work was designed by light artist Tapio Rosenius (Lighting Design Collective).
The light artwork ‘Oil silo 468’ glitters white in the evening and, when the night sets, its red blaze can be seen from the city centre over the sea. The work, which was created in a large 1960s oil silo, is a reference to Kruunuvuorenranta’s almost 90 years as an oil port and the construction of a new area surrounded by the sea and green archipelago nature.
A total of 2012 round openings were cut in the shell of the silo. The mirrors that were placed in the openings sparkle in sunlight. As the night darkens, the led lights inside the shell change, making the old oil silo into a large, ever-changing light artwork. The silo can be used for many purposes, such as small theatre, dance and circus performances, exhibitions, flea markets, fairs and village festivals.
See the video >>
