CITY OF EDGES: EXCAVATION | Helsinki, Finland | Unit 21 | 2015

CITY OF EDGES: THE QUARRIED THEATRE | Helsinki, Finland | Unit 21 | 2015

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City of Edges: Excavation

 

Helsinki granite bedrock has been widely relied on for the construction of excavated underground structures over the last century, as techniques evolved. Besides, exposed, raw rock outcrops act as natural public spaces across the city. The City of Edges project is broken down in three phases.

 

 

 

Firstly, it is investigating typologies of excavations and quarries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second part aims to produce elements of the design with the actual building techniques. Finally, the urban and architectural projects are developed.

 

 

The urban scale of the project is looking, together with an interest for the new machining technologies for granite, at these visible granite patches around Helsinki peninsula to create a network of research, extraction and design facilities physically linked together.

 

City of Edges: The Quarried Theatre

 

The theatre project, based on Harakka Island, is inspired by the strength and monumentality of abandoned stone quarries. In a first step, a quarry is used to provide material for the island workshops.

 

 

Secondly, the theatre design elements (seating, stages, lobby and bar) are carved into the stone.

 

 

 

Finally, the furniture elements of the theatre are being built in the workshops and installed in the theatre.

 

 

The “Quarried Theatre” is made of an indoor stage and an outdoor, expanding scene that relates to the sea and connects to it when it freezes in the winter.