B&M architects, Bunkkeri, original interior, 2015, Architect: Risto-Veikko Luukkonen / Bertel Ekengren. Courtesy: City of Helsinki/Simo Karisalo.

Bunkkeri – Time Space Existence
Helsinki is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. New urban development, including Jätkäsaari, reflects the strategic goals of the city, to create ecologically, environmentally, and socially sustainable parts of the city.
The former dockland of Jätkäsaari is now one of the biggest urban renewal projects in central Helsinki. The area is transforming into a lively urban neighborhood with 21,000 residents and 6,000 jobs. Jätkäsaari has the busiest passenger port in Europe, great commercial and public services, vast park areas, and diverse housing. The area is quickly becoming an attractive environment for living, working, and leisure.
Bunkkeri is a deposit storage built in the port in 1970. In the cityscape, the role of the building has evolved from a landmark to an integrated part of city structure. Bunkkeri is located centrally, along the main street, right next to the passenger terminal and the future sports park.
The redevelopment of Bunkkeri is a successful example of public – private partnership between the City of Helsinki and construction company SRV. As a developer and builder of residential and business environments, SRV provides innovative end-to-end solutions and embraces customer-focused responsibility for the development, construction, and commercialization of projects. Bunkkeri creates a distinctive and high-quality entity – a hybrid block combining many key elements of SRV’s strategy.
The B&M design solution emphasizes Bunkkeri’s status in the new urban structure and respects its distinctive original character, concrete facades with horizontal windows and a solid canopy. The new structure is a glass crown on the top and in contrast with the existing concrete structure. Once again, Bunkkeri will be the landmark and serve as a lighthouse and gate to Helsinki.
Bunkkeri will be a true hybrid – alive 24/7. It combines public education and recreation services with private housing. The public services include a swimming hall and an arena for cultural and sports facilities. During the day public facilities serve local school children and, at other times, facilities are open to the public. On the top there will be approx. 300 private apartments, situated around a closed green courtyard with open views to the surrounding city and the archipelago. The meandering roof surface enables special penthouse apartments on the upper floors. Together with the undulating glass facade it emphasizes the architectural concept based on contrast. Apartments built in the perimeter of the old structure are mostly two-story loft apartments.
Bunkkeri has an impressive structural skeleton with solid ø 3m concrete columns, in a 20m grid with a bearing capacity 5 tn/sqm. Use of the existing frame and the original materials form a sound basis for ecologically sustainable construction. The concrete elements on the facades will be reconstructed and the impressive columns and beamwork will be preserved wherever possible. The indoor material selections of the new structures aim to form a clear contrast to the raw concrete.
The design of the latest project started in 2015, the deconstruction and construction will start in 2017. The sports facilities will be finished in 2019 and the apartments a couple of years later.