Europan 14

Our project site was a mostly unbuild area split between two country Sweden and Finland, right at the border. Europan asked us to think about the twin cities located in the bothnian Bay, Haparanda in Finland and Tornio in Sweden. Our proposal focuses on re-negotiating the hierarchy of elements a border condition creates and questions the future of production. We decided not to let cars dictate the condition of the street, but rather have the pedestrian reclaim the landscape. Our proposed ringed space embraces the border, softens the status of the road, and marries both sides together while the pattern of dispersal established by the ring has the potential to promote further growth out into both countries. Through a subtle shift in the path of the E4 highway and a modification of its profile, we believe we can attract residents, visitors, tourists, and business. By compiling two large sidewalks, parallel parking between trees, two bike lanes and a planted island, the new road functions as a unifying boulevard. Strategically located knuckles at the intersection of the ring and boulevard act as gateways that invite visitors to explore the rest of the cities by highlighting shopping corridors on each side of the border. The ring is a symbol of interconnectedness, unity and cooperation. As an object, it is an emphatic element embracing the border that showcases Tornio Haparanda’s relationship and exploits productivity in the urban environment. Upon crossing the threshold of the ring, pedestrians enter a green network of planted berry bushes, forage gardens, mown paths, and spontaneous vegetation. The varied paths of circulation promote use of the entire site in new ways. The development of enclave-like blocks prompts small business and industry in the region. Looking back at what was the production in cities, where workshops were dedicated to one commercial activity at the back of the selling zone, and limited by their property line. We realized how that type of program evolved and how today, production is outsourced and no longer on site. The workshop space has been reduced to it minimum for storage at the benefice of the selling area. That is why, to re introduce production in the cities, we proposed open workshop spaces with adaptable boundaries. Where resources can be shared among similar commercial activities and can act like an incubator for new business. This incubator-like model emphasizes local productivity through collaboration at a smaller scale. We are proposing to group similar small factories in adjacent adaptable spaces. Here, resources can be shared at the interior of each block while the streetscape is opened up to visitors and patrons. Essentially, this proposal brings to light the artificiality of the border condition. There is no hard line between these regions, which share a deep cultural bond and respect for the natural environment. By uniting the sides through a ringed intervention, we highlight the focal point between the countries and marry the two sides into one cooperative space, which completely obliterates that division. Finding a balance between the vehicle and the pedestrian, be they tourist or resident, is the key to the success of Tornio Haparanda.