The Turku sports park is situated on a hill. The design of the stadium is based on an open architecture competition in 1981. The winning entry ´Spurtti´ was designed by architects Matti Nurmela, Kari Raimoranta and Jyrki Tasa (Architects NRT). They were assisted by Ilkka Karppanen, Petterin Nisunen and Tarja Kunttunen (scale models). The principal architect of the project was Jyrki Tasa. In the implementation phase, he was assisted by Mika Heinonen, Henrik Lares, Mari Matomäki, Arto Harjunpää, Pekka Löyskä and Elisabeth Pesola. The Paavo Nurmi Stadium was completed in 1989.

The central problem was to integrate the stand with the skyline and especially the axial view from the Martinsilta bridge. The stand does not attempt to hide; rather, it is a constructive and clear symbol of the cultural tradition of the sports park. Lightness and proportions create a harmonious relationship with the surroundings.

The basic design is a light, two-level spectator stand. The yard behind the stand is bound by a strip formed of concrete walls, kiosks and toilet buildings. Public access is from Betaniankatu via a gently sloping ramp and from the Paavo Nurmen puistotie.

The concave shape of the lower stand improves spectator visibility and intimacy. The slope of the stand was selected on the basis of visibility studies, albeit avoiding extreme values. The upper stand has a 38˚ slope. Turku sports park is a windy place, and the finishing straight is protected by trees in addition to the shelter provided by the spectator stand ramp. Spectators are shielded by glass railings and the glass wall behind the upper stand. Furthermore, a windbreak wall is proposed behind the lower stand and a glass extension for the end railings.

The competitors’ rooms, sports club offices and maintenance and technical facilities are located under the stand and the concrete slab terrace behind it. The announcer’s box, photo-finish camera and commentators’ rooms are located in the kiosk-like structure on the stand level.

The concrete main pillars are drop-shaped in cross-section, tapering upwards. The main beams, diagonals and double pillars in the steel-structure stand are tapering box shapes. The roof overhang is 17,4 metres. The stand has about 4000 covered seats altogether. 

Text: Finnish Architectural Review 6/1990