Winners of Uusi Aalto Rises! – Aalto Center Idea Competition bring new life to urban space

The competition was organized as an idea competition for Rovaniemi’s cultural and administrative centre, the Aalto Centre, which includes City Hall, the library, Lappia Hall, and their surrounding green areas. The goal of the competition was to find solutions that would make the Aalto Centre “a living room for everyone” – a place that is open, vibrant, and versatile for both residents and visitors.

The competition was open to everyone and attracted a wide range of participants, from individual residents to companies and students. A total of 21 proposals were submitted: 5 in the Business and Product Categories, 12 in the Community & Practices, and 3 in the Vision and Development Categories. Three of the proposals were submitted in English.

The proposals particularly emphasized culture, collaboration, and various events. Many also highlighted the versatile, year-round use of the Aalto Centre. Overall, the submissions provided a broad range of interesting perspectives that form a strong foundation for the further development of the area.

The evaluation of the competition was carried out by a multidisciplinary jury, including representatives from various city departments, development organizations, and higher education institutions.

The following criteria were emphasized in the assessment:

- Support for shared urban space and community
- Functionality
- Quality and sustainability
- Use of materials and local character

Diverse ideas awarded in three categories

Award-winning entries were selected in three categories: Business and Product, Community and Practices, and Vision and Development. In addition, a special honorary mention was selected through a vote by children and youth.

The awarded ideas provide a diverse view of how the Aalto Centre could develop in the future. The proposals envision the area as an open meeting place, a stage for culture, a shared living room, and an experiential urban space. The prizes were: first prize €1,000, second prize €500, third prize €200, and an honorary mention €150.

Awarded entries:

Business and Product Categories
1st prize – AALR, Edward Stewart and Natalia Nikolaeva
2nd prize – Folke, Arttu Nieminen
3rd prize – Tarsius, Juho Hiilivirta

Community and Practices Categories
1st prize – KANSALAISLAVA, Antti Huhtala and Johan Pietarinen
2nd prize – Olohuone / Room for Living, Chia Chen Chang and Sara Jacobsen
3rd prize – Rovaniemimoottorimiitti, Kati Wolff
Honorary mention – Voikukka, Anitta Heikkilä

Vision and Development Categories
1st prize – Wavy, TUNDRA Architecture Ltd

The jury also wanted to highlight listening to and involving children and young people. The finalist entries were displayed in the corridor of the Music Institute, and students from both the Music Institute and the School of Visual Arts participated in the vote. A total of 23 votes were cast.

The honorary mention selected by children and youth was awarded to Tarsius, Juho Hiilivirta.

The future Aalto Centre takes shape in the awarded ideas

The competition proposals offer valuable perspectives for the future development of the Aalto Centre and will be utilized in various ways in the project’s next phases. Some of the proposals are broad visions and long-term development ideas that require extended planning, decision-making, and collaboration between multiple stakeholders.

At the same time, the competition brought forward many event, activity, and urban space ideas that can already be tested and implemented during the project. The aim is for the first contents inspired by the proposals to possibly be seen at the Aalto Centre as early as next autumn. Above all, the competition serves as a starting point for longer-term development – and demonstrates a desire for active use of the Aalto Centre, events, and shared experiences throughout the year.

According to Eeva Huuhtanen, Project Manager of the New Aalto project, the competition showed that the Aalto Centre is perceived as an important place and that there is genuine interest in its future.

“The proposals particularly highlighted events, togetherness, and enjoyment – precisely the kinds of elements through which the Aalto Centre could become an even more vibrant part of everyday life for residents. It was a pleasure to see how many entries viewed the area as a place where people don’t just visit, but where they meet, linger, and spend time all year round,” Huuhtanen says.

Uusi Aalto Rises! – Aalto Center Idea Competition was organized as part of the City of Rovaniemi’s Uusi Aalto project between October 2, 2025 and January 15, 2026. The aim of the project is to strengthen Rovaniemi’s position as a city of architecture and to develop new, sustainable, and feasible initiatives based on its Aalto and other architectural heritage. The project is linked to the city’s strategic goals of increasing year-round cultural and architectural tourism, strengthening local identity, and promoting socially and culturally sustainable development.