The award is presented by the Central Organisation for Finnish Horticulture (Puutarhaliitto ry) and the Concrete Centre (Betonikeskus ry) belonging to the Finnish Association of Construction Product Industries (RTT). The award is in recognition of high-quality and versatile environmental design and construction.
The design for Viertola aukio and its environs was begun in 2006. The square, including the bridge, was completed in 2009. The goal was to create a light and pleasant open area connecting the shopping centre with the pedestrianised city centre.
Kerava Public Works Department acted as constructor for the project, while design was the responsibility of WSP Finland Ltd. The bridge contractor was Infratyö Oy, the street and park contractor Kivinikkarit Oy, and the lighting and traffic signals contractor Suomen Energia-Urakointi Oy. Rakennuttajatoimisto HTJ Oy acted as construction consultant.
Light and atmosphere
The sense of light in Viertolan aukio is created by its pale cast stone walls. The elegant sweep of the Sibeliuksentie bridge spans the square, its curves accentuated by intelligent use of lighting. Indirect lighting through the roof of the Saviontie underpass serves to pick out the wall reliefs. The bridge is of the prestressed concrete frame type with the undersurface of the deck in the form of a parabolic arch. The supporting walls of the bridge and underpass are of red granite and grooved concrete surfaces. The square extends to the K-Citymarket store forecourt which forms the entrance to the shopping centre. The forecourt is bordered by flowering trees and abundant beds of shrubbery. Cycle racks and benches are considerately placed and echo the impression of uniformity and high-quality that prevails throughout the city centre.
Improved traffic safety
The construction project brought about an improvement in traffic arrangements at the junction of Sibeliuksentie and Saviontie and at the junction of Saviontie, Asemantie and Nikonkatu. The new underpass at Saviontie has meant improved connections and increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This structure is a reinforced concrete slab frame bridge with a curved undersurface to the deck which conforms to the shape of the Sibeliuksentie bridge. The plinth section is of red granite, while the concrete wall surface is engraved with relief images repeating the outline of the bridge.
For more information, please contact:
Liisa Ilveskorpi, WSP Finland Oy, tel. +358 40 500 2671, liisa.ilveskorpi@wspgroup.fi