The Kulttuuriaukio Square in Tapiola is being remodelled into a pleasant urban square and new facilities are being constructed for the Espoo City Theatre
The design for Kulttuuriaukio Square will make it a pleasant and green open urban space, ideal for spending time and organising events. New facilities for the Espoo City Theatre will be built in the extension of the Tapiola Cultural Centre. New commercial, office and service premises as well as residential buildings are also planned for the area.
The detailed plan proposal for Kulttuuriaukio Square is part of the broader development of Tapiola. Tapiola is a nationally significant built cultural environment, which has building and cultural-historical value and whose cityscape must be preserved.
“Special emphasis must be put on the biodiversity and unique characteristics of the area in its planning and construction. Preservation does not only apply to individual buildings, but also to protecting the unique characteristics of the cityscape as a whole,” explains Minna Järvenpää, the architect from the City Planning Department.
Kulttuuriaukio Square to become a high-quality urban square
Planned for construction next to the Tapiola Cultural Centre, Kulttuuriaukio Square will be a pleasant and green urban square, with parking being completely removed from the square area. The square will serve as a pleasant space for spending time or organising events. The multipurpose square can be converted into a venue for urban events, which can be organised by the city as well as by local residents, among others. The square will be accentuated by trees and landscaping. There are also plans to install artwork on the square.
The new theatre will be located in the new Tapiola Cultural Centre extension. The theatre lobby and restaurant facilities open out to the square, connected by an open-air terrace. The Tapiola Cultural Centre and its extension are connected to each other by a gallery space, thus linking the lobby spaces and creating a seamless transition between them. The gallery is part of the pedestrian walkway leading from Tapiola centre to the north. Kulttuuriaukio Square also opens out to and offers views of the Kaupinkallio forest park between the new buildings, and the WeeGee Exhibition Centre can also be reached by foot on paths through the park.
Other pedestrian and bike routes are being developed, with new ramps planned to facilitate accessibility. Pickup/dropoff traffic will remain on Kaupinkalliontie. There is already ample parking for visitors to Tapiola, such as the Tapiola underground central parking facility, which has 2,100 parking spaces.
Business sector and residential needs also taken into consideration
New commercial, office and service construction is planned to replace the bowling alley and Marimekko building on the Kulttuuriaukio Square. The new premises will bring 300 new jobs to increase the vitality of Tapiola.
New residences will replace the Kaupinkallio parking garage, which will be demolished. The site will be occupied by two residential buildings, whose height was lowered to 6-7 storeys based on feedback submitted by local residents. The ground floor of the residential buildings can house various commercial premises and services, such as a new bowling alley. Underground parking for building residents is planned for the new residential buildings. Parking spaces for the neighbouring senior centre are also being reserved in the parking hall.
Espoo’s City Planning Committee will discuss the Kulttuuriaukio Square detailed plan amendment proposal on 31 January 2024, after which the plan proposal will be available for viewing. The detailed plan amendment was also discussed at the local resident event Tapiola on 5 September 2023.
The Urban Planning Department will announce when the plan will be made available with a detailed plan announcement on the detailed plan website and to nearby neighbours by letter.
Further information on the project
City Planning Committee agenda 31 January 2024/Case no. 6(external link, opens in a new window)