A design strategy for transforming an old power plant into a cultural center

Abstract

In the process of transforming a historic building, retaining the entire façade and its existing structure is critical in building restoration. Because of a building's historic and traditional identity, proper preservation has to be made to keep the image of its original architecture. In Finland, the Suvilahti power station is an example of the earliest industrial architecture for energy production in the region of Kalasatama, Helsinki. The most idealistic proposal for renovating this place is a cultural center where people can recall and celebrate its history. Kalasatama has been selected as an industrial area for Finland's energy production from the very early 1900s up to the present time. It is also the place for a future power plant. Therefore, the transformation of the Suvilahti area has to be carefully planned to respect its original purpose and to preserve its heritage for future generations in Finland. Because of the plant's significance for energy production for the history and traditions of the region, and to support its preservation and maintenance, this project proposes a museum and restaurant to provide places to remember the plant's history. Moreover, these programs help the city to pay the cost of renovation and also to provide a recreational place for the public in Helsinki. This thesis investigates different design options for the restoration of historical buildings and generates a series of different architectural systems that can be applied to pre-existing structures of power plants and gasworks.

(cont.) Moreover, this project integrates various elements into a cohesive cultural center. In addition, in the process of developing different designs for the Suvilahti power plant, this research serves as an experimental model for transforming an industrial architecture into a cultural center.