Mandaworks and MASSlab to design new Aviapolis Urban Blocks hub in Vantaa, Finland

Mandaworks and MASSlab's “Where the world meets Finland’” recently won first prize in an open competition for the design of the new Aviapolis Urban Blocks in Vantaa, Finland. Organized by the City of Vantaa, the competition sought the best masterplan for an area of over 240,000 m2. Adjacent to the bustling Helsinki-Vantaa airport, the Aviapolis district will be a central cultural and community hub that addresses challenging environmental impacts through circular and collective systems. The first phase of development will be a pilot version of the project.

“By constructing a resource efficient neighborhood that is connected to the world and involves local residents, Aviapolis can become a flagship project for circular economy and shared systems thinking. The systems are supported by the structure through collective shared spaces that are found within the blocks and throughout the public realm. Together the spaces form a binding network of social pockets, supporting a variety of functions and scales,” the design team says.

“The largest collective space gives shape to the local neighborhood centre, while being connected to the circle of interest. The Atomi and surrounding landscape bind together the two sides of the plan through strategically programmed public functions in combination with regenerative circular systems. These circular systems utilize on site potentials to maximize performative landscape systems such as stormwater infiltration, waste water reuse and filtering, biodiversity growth, C02 sequestration capacity, smart energy production, waste management cycles and local small scale production.”

“The structure breaks down the large frame plan into finer grained blocks that are human scaled and walkable” that comprise “social atoms”, which form a network of shared built and unbuilt spaces that support “circular” activities throughout Aviapolis. “Existing vegetation and water are preserved and strengthened into an inviting central park structure, creating the neighborhood’s main social space,” the designers say.

“The proportions of the blocks and spaces ensure a flexible distribution of functions, allowing spaces to evolve and move over time. If in the traditional Finnish block everyone experiences similar conditions, the Aviapolis urban block offers maximum diversity, promoting and supporting a wide range of tastes and lifestyles.”

Find more project images in the gallery below, or read more about the proposal here.