the helsinki generator

01

the helsinki generator the starting point is a modular and open-ended, non-permanent wooden structure. It will frame and enrich the discussion on the future of the south harbour.

introduction every city has it. it is grand, it is central, it is unique, it is for everybody and it doesn’t work. there are too many controversial ideas, impatient stakeholders, major economic interests and a public administration in distress. in helsinki this is the south harbour, a scenic waterfront, which serves helsinki on a plate to its visitors, residents and passers-by alike. but the times when - as planned now - one single building, one grand architecture can do justice to such a location are gone. too many failed single visions have muted the diversity of cities which seemed to have everything in store to allow for a nuanced, multi-faceted approach.

trigger architecture the starting point collage, plug-in, naked, rational, delirious or generic city concepts have all but obfuscated the fact that ‘good’ urban environments must be grounded in the diversity of its people and their ideas, and not be derived from top-down design decisions or monumental architecture. nevertheless, architecture has shaped the spatial identity of cities and at its best has created cohesion where friction bore the risk of dangerous partitions. from a short term perspective however architecture has always struggled. the old-established reluctance and unease of architects and planners to engage in any type of participatory process, has limited architecture’s immediate impact. at the south harbour there is an opportunity to start afresh. rather than propagating another solitary landmark we propose to set an architectural starting point. this starting point is an open, process-driven, self-made, economically viable, non-permanent and citizen-supported structure - the helsinki generator. it will frame and enrich the discussion on the future of the south harbour. the helsinki generator © Pilcrow

02

03

04

05

this is not a lab the process the helsinki generator is a 13 metre high, wooden, modular and open-ended, partially covered structure located on the south-eastern corner of the south harbour. no building knowledge is needed for its construction. its design principles are freely available. it can be built by volunteers without prior building knowledge and allows for a low-threshold involvement with the ideas of building and urban development. its goal is to trigger a new cooperative form of development. the helsinki generator will therefore not only grant unique scenic viewpoints of the harbour, provide room to eat, drink, sauna, swim, shop and to experiment with potential future programmes and functions for the location; foremost it will be the place where the future of the south harbour is discussed and developed. the helsinki generator has a clear goal: in five years it will recreate south harbour for its people.

make city, not plan the framework at the core of the legal and organisational framework of the helsinki generator lies a development cooperative. the development cooperative is an urban development format established in germany as a more dynamic and transparent alternative to the international building exhibition (iba). membership to the cooperative is open to all individuals interested in the planning process. each member has one vote. the members elect a managing board which in turn commissions professionals to work on the different aspects of the development. the cooperative is funded by its members through low denomination capital deposits, through additional funds from crowdfunding or related fund raising initiatives as well as from revenues for letting out temporary commercial spaces in the generator. furthermore the cooperative facilitates discussions and exchanges between the public, the city government and potential developers and thus guarantees the transparency of the entire process which will last for five years and will end with the completion of a detailed development scheme for the south harbour. the helsinki generator © Pilcrow

06

the helsinki generator the starting point is a modular and open-ended, non-permanent wooden structure. It will frame and enrich the discussion on the future of the south harbour.

the helsinki generator © Pilcrow

07

trigger architecture the helsinki generator can be built by volunteers without prior building knowledge. all design principles are freely available.

poly-skin 324

324

stairs 9 steps 18/27

wooden vertical frame

wooden horizontal frame

32 4 43 2 21

72x18=1296

6

grid: 108(6x18)/108

54 x1 8= 97

x 108

18=

194

4

2

the helsinki generator © Pilcrow

08

this is not a lab the helsinki generator provides room to get together, but foremost this will be the place where the future of the south harbour is discussed and developed.

sauna office

workshop

meeting room research shop bar

showroom

hall pool

the helsinki generator © Pilcrow

09