The Port of Helsinki’s West Terminal 2 won the interior lighting category of the Finnish Lighting Award 2017. Muurame church won the exterior lighting category. In addition, Kirkkosaari island and Kelanranta beach in Kuusamo received commendations.
According to the competition jury, West Terminal 2 is a good example of the combination of architecture, functionality, and lighting. The design is based on a well-thought-out overall concept, which was carried out through positive cooperation between various design branches.
The Port of Helsinki’s West Terminal 2, opened in February 2017, was designed by Tuomas Silvennoinen and Pekka Mäkelä from PES-Arkkitehdit Oy. Sanna Forsman and Matti Syrjälä from Granlund Oy were responsible for the lighting design.
Lighting integrated into architecture
West Terminal 2 was built to serve fast liner traffic, so guidance is one of the functions of the lighting. According to the jury, the simple idea of a linear line of light in the West Harbour terminal, carried out using various applications in ceilings and handrails, is an insightful way of supporting the guidance of passengers through the terminal building.
A fabulous sea view opens from the large second floor departure lounge. The huge windows and daylight sensors also enable section-by-section utilisation of daylight.
The light fittings and other technologies have been successfully integrated into the ceiling structure made of thin wooden laths, which makes the space calm and eliminates any glare.
‘From the very start, the Port of Helsinki aimed for the building to represent both functionality and high level architecture. This was never compromised, and the fluency of the operations could be combined with architecture, creating a unique combination, in both design and implementation’, says Ari Parviainen, who was in charge of the Port of Helsinki’s West Terminal 2 project.
Recognition for high-quality lighting solutions
This was the fifteenth time that the Finnish Lighting Awards were presented. The competition included sites completed between 15 August 2015 and 15 August 2017, and winners were selected for two categories, internal and external lighting.
The competition, arranged every two years, aims to encourage Finnish lighting designers and property developers by recognising skilfully implemented lighting sites. The competition is organised by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of Finland, RAKLI, the Finnish Association of Interior Architects SIO, the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA), the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Finland STUL, Sähkösuunnittelijat NSS ry, and the Finnish Electrotechnical Trade Association (STK).
The jury consisted of:
Tapio Kallasjoki, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences; the Illuminating Engineering Society of Finland
Johanna Kaalikoski; RAKLI
Helena Aalto, KT Interior Oy; the Finnish Association of Interior Architects SIO
Esa Kauppi, City of Oulu; the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA)
Veli-Pekka Vitikka; the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Finland STUL
Jonne Järvinen, Insinööritoimisto Stacon Oy; Sähkösuunnittelijat NSS ry
Ville Hasanen, Rexel Finland Oy; the Finnish Electrotechnical Trade Association
