A shoreline for new use
The waterfront between the Market Hall and the Olympia Terminal will be rebuilt to serve the public and the area’s future functions. It has recently been decided that a design and architecture museum called Kumma will be built in the area. The renovation of the Pakkahuone quay is one of many projects preparing the area for its new purpose.
Demanding construction in the heart of a living city
The construction site is located in a place where there is not a single extra square metre of storage space. This defines the entire implementation approach of the project. “This is certainly a precise site—there’s no room for a single extra vehicle. But we’re used to this kind of work,” says project engineer Otto Paakki.
Drilled piling works are carried out from the sea, using a work barge and a temporary work bridge, which reduces pressure on the cramped land area. In total, around 1,200 tonnes of piling steel and one million kilograms of reinforcing steel will be delivered to the site—each shipment scheduled so that materials arrive exactly when needed.
A historic setting requires precision
Before new structures are built, roughly 200 metres of old quay structures will be dismantled. In a historic harbour area, demolition can reveal older structures, which are monitored closely in cooperation with the client. Any findings may affect the project’s progress.
Noise permits, vibration monitoring, and traffic control require special planning and continuous dialogue with local businesses. “There’s plenty to manage with stakeholders: there’s a nearby church, the Market Hall, and tourists moving through the area. So there’s no shortage of work during construction,” Paakki notes.
Underwater work and new expertise
A large share of the structures will be built underwater, which requires precise planning and perfect timing in every phase. The project also serves as an internal development platform for Terramare: new expertise has been recruited for drilled piling, and work methods are being developed for future projects. “While we build the quay, we also innovate in how we work. Drilled piling on this scale requires very specific expertise,” site manager Jani Vyyryläinen says.
Renewable fuels are used in smaller machines, and data is collected on energy consumption.
A finish that fits the cityscape
The completed quay will blend into Helsinki’s historic seafront landscape. The structures will include prefabricated façade elements with natural-stone surfaces, and the original granite setts will be reinstated. Removed stones will be reused whenever possible.
When the work is completed, the shoreline will be ready to serve city residents and the area’s future operators.