Port of Helsinki’s West Terminal 2 named Steel Structure of the Year 2017
The Port of Helsinki’s West Terminal 2 has been chosen as the Steel Structure of the Year 2017, the company said in its press release.
The lead designer of the terminal is Tuomas Silvennoinen from PES Architects. In addition to PES Architects, the award was presented to the client of the project, Port of Helsinki Ltd; structural designer Sweco; lead contractor YIT; and the supplier of the steel frame and the glass facades, Normek.
The Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association received a total of approximately 15 nominations, of which nine were approved for further review by the jury, chaired by architect Mikko Summanen from the Finnish Association of Architects. According to the rules of the award, the recipient must be an architecturally high-quality building project that has made use of both steel and other metals in an innovative manner during construction.
The jury was particularly impressed by how the building combines the high-quality stylishness of the overall structure with well-thought-out functionality. In addition to an efficient terminal, the client wanted to add a notable new landmark to the cityscape of Jätkäsaari and maritime Helsinki.
The new West Terminal 2 consists of the actual terminal building and two passenger corridors on either side, through which passengers can move between ships and the terminal.
In June 2016, the steel trusses of the departure lounge ceiling were still visible. The large windows facing the sea had not yet been installed.
Architecture has been a high priority in the project, and the aesthetic and geometric objectives of the project have been successfully achieved. One important aspect of this success was the close cooperation between the designers and the utilisation of a building information model that combined the works of the different design disciplines.
The Steel Structure Award is an esteemed recognition among architecture and construction professionals, awarded annually by the Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association. It has been awarded to steel structures that promote and characterise the development of the industry since 1980.
