Viikinmäki landscape portal wins Steel Structure of the Year prize
The Finnish Steel Structure Association has awarded its Steel Structure of the Year prize for 2014 to the Viikinmäki 110-kV landscape portal constructed by Helen Sähköverkko Oy. The award-winning steel structure is deemed to be excellent proof that it is possible to build beautiful infrastructure.
The landscape portal is about 9 metres wide, 55 metres long and 15 metres high, and its steel weight is approximately 70 tonnes. The landscape portal has a vivid colour, which acts as a contrast to the subdued appearance of the switching substation building.
The landscape portal is related to a wider context where Helen Sähköverkko Oy upgrades the 110-kV open switchyard in Viikinmäki, which is at the end of its life cycle, and connects it to the Viikinmäki switching substation to be built in the immediate vicinity of the Lahdenväylä highway. The Viikinmäki switching substation is a key hub in terms of electricity distribution in the Helsinki region.
The switching substation with its overhead line connections is located at a central and prominent place along the Lahdenväylä highway. For this reason, the project decided on a landscape portal. Helen Sähköverkko Oy has also constructed the five landscape towers (Antti’s Footsteps), designed by Antti Nurmesniemi and located in the sea area outside Töölö. This year, Helsinki residents were encouraged to take part in the #meidänHelsinki campaign by displaying Helsinki-themed photographs on electricity distribution cabinets.
– The electricity network structures are an integral part of the Helsinki cityscape, and we want to contribute to its development in selected sites, says Managing Director Risto Harjanne of Helen Sähköverkko Oy.
The steel structure award is an esteemed recognition among the architecture and construction professionals. The visual appearance of the Viikinmäki landscape portal is designed by Virkkunen & Co. Architects, and Eltel Networks Oy is responsible for its construction design and implementation. Sweco Structures played a key role in its construction design, and HögforsSteka Oy is responsible for the manufacture of the tower structures.
A competition will be arranged at a later date to decide on the name of the landscape portal.