Smart City Planning
The Iittala & Arabia Design Centre is located in the Arabia district, northeast of the city center of Helsinki, Finland. This area, occupying approximately 85 hectares, has a rich history dating back to 1873 when it was home to the largest ceramics and glassware factory in Europe.
The building that houses the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre is the iconic Arabia ceramics factory, which operated from 1873 until its official closure in 2016, spanning over 140 years. Through a comprehensive redevelopment of the industrial area, this oldest ceramics factory in Finland has transformed into a multifunctional center that combines exhibitions, shopping, studios, and museums.
■ Development Funding for Public Art to Create an Art and Design City
Due to the decline of the ceramics and glassware industry, the Arabia district suffered a downturn. In 1990, the City of Helsinki Economics and Planning Centre devised a regeneration plan that preserved the architectural remnants of the factory and developed the Arabianranta community (ranta meaning "waterfront" in Finnish). This community seamlessly integrates the old and the new, blending urban and natural environments.
The Arabianranta community development project commenced in 2000 and was completed in 2012. It provides 3,500 apartments, accommodates 7,500 residents, offers 5,000 job opportunities, and houses a campus for 6,000 students. In terms of commuting, the area is well-served by light rail and buses that connect to the Helsinki city center, with a commuting time of approximately 15 minutes, making transportation convenient.
Since 1986, the Helsinki University of Art and Design (merged into Aalto University in 2010) has been located in this area, right next to the Arabia factory. The proximity between the university and the factory naturally fosters artistic incubation. Arabia provides top-notch design mentors, on-site workspaces, and a continuous stream of design energy. The School of Arts, Design, and Architecture has brought new creative talent to Arabia.
Furthermore, the Arabianranta community emphasizes cultural arts and requires developers to allocate 1-2% of construction costs to public art. As a result, there are 87 public art installations in the public areas, courtyards, and parks, earning Arabia the reputation of being the "Art and Design City."
■ Arabia 135 Project
From a soon-to-be-abandoned ceramics factory to a catalyst for the entire art and design industry, the rebirth of Arabia is not just a transformation on the production line but the construction of an entire design ecosystem. Building upon the Arabianranta community development project, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company took advantage of the closure of the ceramics factory in 2016 to host a series of competitions. The aim was to introduce educational, working, residential, and commercial functions to the 17-hectare block where the Arabia ceramics factory is located.
In the current stage of the project's execution, the School of Arts, Design, and Architecture at Aalto University has temporarily moved from the area, leading to a temporary silence in a space that was once bustling with students. However, in the winning entry by the Verstas team, architects have planned a pedestrian-friendly pathway through the core area. Additionally, to enhance the creative elements of the region, the factory block will include exhibition and architecture-related museum spaces. Furthermore, to attract visitors, the area will feature a public library, restaurants, and cafés, while art-related educational facilities will be reconfigured in a new building on the north side. This update is expected to provide a new wave of development opportunities for the Arabia district.
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