Kulttuuriaukio Square plan change enables theatre facilities and improved comfort
The aim of the alteration of the city plan is to develop the environment of Tapiola Kulttuuriaukio Square into a diverse cluster of culture, services and business with a few residential buildings. The City Board will discuss the alteration to the Kulttuuriaukio Square at its meeting on 31 March. After that, the change must still be approved by the council.
The Espoo Cultural Centre, which is located on the edge of the square, will expand with a new hall mainly for the use of Espoo theatre. The extension will connect to the cultural centre through a gallery space. A new connection for pedestrians from Silkkiniitty to Kulttuuriaukio Square will be established through the new space, which will be accessible during the opening hours of the Cultural Centre.
Kulttuuriaukio Square will be developed into a more pleasant environment with groups of trees planted in the area. The new arrangements on the square will make it possible to organise various kinds of events there.
As a result of the renovations, parking spaces will no longer be available on the square, but parking will move to Tapiola’s central parking facility. Some drop-off points for Cultural Centre and the theatre will be built along Kaupinkalliontie.
On the west side of Kaupinkalliontie, a building of 4-5 floors with office, commercial and service spaces is being planned for the place of the so-called bowling alley building. Similarly, on the southern side of the square, a 3-4 floor building with office, commercial and service spaces is planned for the location of the so-called Marimekkotalo building, which would be connected to the old Tapiontori commercial building through a single-floor extension.
Two apartment blocks are being planned for the current parking area of Kaupinkallio, with commercial and service spaces on the street level. One of the residential buildings would have six floors and the other seven floors.
Buildings of cultural and historical value to be protected
The buildings in the area with cultural and historical value - Cultural Centre, Central Tower, the Tapiontori business centre and the info kiosk - will be protected. Meanwhile, preconditions will be created for development that safeguards the historical value of the buildings.
The maintenance facilities of the ice garden will be placed slightly further south to preserve unobstructed views from Aarne Ervi Square to the Tapiola swimming pool.
Traffic, parking and service arrangements will be changed to better serve the development of the area. The aim is to adapt all alterations in the area to Tapiola's valuable cultural environment. The area is part of Tapiola’s historical city centre, which is based on the 1954 city centre plan by architect Aarne Ervi.