Loci: Tynnyripuisto Park is centrally located in Matinkylä, one of the central hubs and neighbourhoods of Espoo, the second largest city in Finland. Matinkylä has been rapidly growing in the recent years: new housing has been built around the large shopping mall and subway network expanded to reach the area. A new high school and public swimming hall were built. The area lacked a built public park. The new vibrant park forms the heart of the expanding and developing area.
The diverse urban park serves users of all ages and forms a new, comfortable outdoor living room for residents. The spatial layout of the park enables the organization of a variety of events. The central location makes it an important green space: most of the routes around the area’s important points go through the park. The park is also a noise buffer zone as the heavily trafficked road runs north past the park. The park offers nature experiences in the dense and busy urban environment. The preserved large trees and the small creek are emphasized, headlining the local natural values.
The theme of the area is borrowed from the history and names of the area, including the barrels of the fish market and the historical farm important to the area. This highlights the locality and gives the park more character, making the history of the area visible. The theme is shown from colour and material choices to the spatial structure. Water is becoming a main element of the park with the emphasizing the small local creek and the water play element at the main square.
On the rocky hillside in the northern part of the park, old historic stone walls have been preserved as a reminder of the old farm. The hill is also rich in fine old trees, and open rock is visible in places. These large trees along with the historic stone walls and water surface of the Tiistilänoja Creek give the park a distinctive look and feel. A new fenced playground for small children is built on the west side of the hill, where it is protected from the traffic noise. The colours are chosen to compliment the environment and fit the overall theme of the park.
The southern part of the park forms a functional heart and a meeting point for residents. The main attraction of the park’s main square is the water playground, where water is drawn from the nearby water supply and pumped into the square by a hand pump. The existing playground area is converted into a paved open seating area. The grassy slope and event platform on the south side allow for small-scale events.
In the northern hemisphere, like in Finland, it is dark for a significant part of the year. The design of the park has focused specifically on the appearance and atmosphere to be inviting and safe during the dark period. The recurring theme of the park is also brought visibly into the darkness: In the evening, a special fish pattern is projected to the main square and the playground.
Landscape Architecture: Loci
Lighting design: LDC Lighting Design Collective
Year completed: 2024
Photo credits: Sami Perttilä
