A gem of modern architecture, the Tampere government office building, has been completely renovated and now features a striking new extension. The colourful façade of the new section makes art a permanent part of the building and invites citizens into open spaces accessible to all. The city hall will open for use next spring.
Located on the edge of Tampere’s Central Square, the so-called ‘white house’ has been transformed into a city hall through extensive renovation and expansion. Next year, the ground floor will open to the public, featuring a service point, restaurant, and exhibition spaces. Tampere City’s 950 employees will gradually move into the new premises over the course of next spring.
In the project completed in November by Tampere City Facilities Services, the protected building section designed by architect Aarne Ervi in the 1960s was thoroughly renovated, and a completely new extension was built on the Puutarhakatu side. The principal and architectural design for the project was carried out by ONE Architects.
– Ervi’s functionalist style is characterised by light façades, ribbon windows, and a minimalist design language. The new extension does not replicate the architecture of the old section, but instead emphasises its own identity and era, while still respecting the original building,” describes the principal designer, architect Olivier Lemarchand.
The aim has been to dispel the sense of bureaucracy and make the city hall open to all residents of Tampere.
The colourful glass louvre wall of the new extension’s main façade offers a welcoming view from the square and provides glimpses into the decision-making processes of local democracy. The façade of the original building also clearly reveals the council chamber, making the purpose of the building immediately recognisable, explains Lemarchand.
The façade’s coloured glass louvres serve as adjustable sunshades, while the cladding itself is a work of art. The colour scheme was designed in collaboration with visual artist and designer Aino Favén.
At street level, the façade of the new section echoes the glass-surfaced theme of the old part. The historically valuable exterior remained unchanged. The prefabricated façades were rebuilt according to the principles of so-called restorative repair. For example, the white ceramic tiles of the facing elements were manufactured in Italy to match the original colours and proportions.
– The result is a replica that is almost identical to the original, faithfully mirroring the previous appearance of the façade, notes Lemarchand.
The interiors were renewed with respect for Ervi’s architectural style and design language, and all building services, lighting, and ventilation were updated. The renovation of the old government office building was largely possible thanks to the sufficient floor height required by modern building technology. With the new ventilation plant room, the six-storey old section now reaches a height of 27 metres.
The renovation project was carried out by YIT as a collaborative project management contract. In addition to principal design, ONE Architects was also responsible for interior architectural design during the implementation phase. A-Insinöörit was in charge of the acoustic and fire safety design for the renovation and extension project.
Providing additional work and meeting spaces for city staff, the five-storey, 5,000 gross square metre extension on Puutarhakatu stands where the old treasury office once was. A two-storey, light-filled atrium connects the new and old sections and includes public restaurant facilities.
The atrium’s white spiral staircase leads to the second-floor rooms of the city’s management, the new council chamber, and the conference centre.
The atrium is a semi-public space, offering those who enter views in all directions, both towards the old and the new sections. The open lobby has been designed to give hints of what lies beyond, embodying the transparency of municipal democracy. The atrium also opens onto the inner courtyard, making it possible to host outdoor events there as well, explains Lemarchand.
The main entrance to the city hall remains in its original location on the square side, from where visitors proceed to the new atrium via the gallery. On the upper floors, the new extension connects to the old part through bridge links.
The surfaces and lighting of the council chamber and public gallery, located on the top floors, were renewed while preserving the original architecture, and furniture dating from the 1990s has been updated. Birger Kaipiainen’s “Orvokkimeri” artwork in the council chamber, as well as the glass ornaments on the ceiling, were protected during the renovation works.
Renovation was also carried out in the courtyard area and underground. The inner courtyard parking area was converted into a recreational courtyard, and the basement-level civil defence shelters were upgraded to S1-class shelters.
Further information
Olivier Lemarchand, architect
tel. 044 777 0220