Ranta-Tampella, a canal district for 4,000 residents, is under construction in Tampere, emphasizing public outdoor spaces. Located by Lake Näsijärvi, just one kilometre from Tampere’s Central Square, the area is bordered by the historical factory district of Tampella to the south, separated by a railway line. Residential development began in 2016 after the completion of the Rantaväylä Tunnel for through traffic.

An invitational competition in 2009, won by B&M Architects’ proposal “Horisontti,” introduced the central concept of a canal traversing the area. The canal creates water views for apartments further from the lakeshore and aims to evoke the urban atmosphere of nearby Tammerkoski. The competition design proposed point blocks on the canal’s north side, slab blocks along the railway tracks, and a serpentine lakeshore frontage to shield the area from cold winds. The city commissioned a reference plan based on the proposal, introducing a waterfront promenade that expands into a park, connecting the canal to the lake. A 16-storey tower at the canal’s bend was included as a landmark.

B&M also prepared building guidelines specifying red brick exteriors for the blocks, plastered yard-facing sides, and vibrant gable wall colours. These principles are reflected in the canal-front blocks, the first of which will be completed soon. While the residential architecture is subdued to highlight outdoor spaces, the lack of business premises and muted ground-floor levels is notable. Bridges and outdoor spaces were designed to form a cohesive whole, as seen at the canal’s mouth, where the Rantatampella Bridge wing wall integrates with Gustaf Asp Square’s steps. The area features four concrete bridges tensioned to bedrock or supported by canal walls and two steel pedestrian bridges with railings that create a unified aesthetic.

The canal banks have distinct designs: the south side is straight-edged, while the sunnier north bank includes terraced seating areas and observation decks extending over the water. Precast concrete panels with patterns resembling water reflections and rock textures form the canal walls, masking the seams between panels. The district’s design balances functionality with aesthetic considerations, creating a unified urban and waterfront environment.

Source: Kristo Vesikansa’s review in Finnish Architectural Review 1/2022