Extensive renovation, modernization and redevelopment of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Finland Kari Avellan1, Erika Belopotocanova2
Abstract. The Helsinki Olympic Stadium, completed in 1938, represents functionalism and is described as the most beautiful sports stadium in the world. Since 2006 the Stadium has been added on the list of protected sites by the National Board of Antiquities in Finland. The conditional survey conducted in 2009 showed that the structure had been affected by water damage in several areas. Furthermore, the Stadium no longer met the modern criteria for hosting major international events since it was built decades ago. In consequence it was deemed necessary the structural complex undergo a major upgrade and redevelopment. In 2016 a modernization project started focusing on particular fields: (1) to perform extensive renovation of the existing structure by replacing the technical building systems by building new infrastructure, updating the logistical solutions as well as expanding refreshment and service points for the public, and (2) to redevelop and upgrade this historical site into a modern, multipurpose area. The Olympic Stadium is scheduled to be re-opened in 2019. In all phases of renovation, the concept of sustainable building solution and state-of-the-art design tools are applied to comply with special regulations and requirements due to the high historical and architectural value of the Olympic Stadium. After completion of the extensive renovation project, the new, eye-catching modern venue will promote infrastructure capable of hosting major international sports and cultural events. Keywords: protected site, architectural value, historical structure, sustainable building solutions, redevelopment, state-of-the-art design tools
1 Introduction Olympic Stadium in Helsinki is the country´s pride and considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. For this reason it was decided that it should be preserved rather than replaced with a new stadium complex (Fig. 1) [1].
Figure 1. The Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Olympic Tower. Helsinki. Finland.
1
CEO, KAREG Consulting Engineers, Helsinki, Finland,
[email protected]
2
Associate, KAREG Consulting Engineers, Helsinki, Finland,
[email protected]
2
Table 1 below indicates the most distinctive features and specifics of the Stadium [6]: Table 1. Description of the Olympic Stadium Helsinki
Stadium Name:
Finnish: Helsingin olympiastadion Swedish: Helsingfors Olympiastadion
Broke Ground:
1934
Opened:
1938
Renovated:
1939, 1947–1952, 1953–1956, 1961, 1971, 1991–1994, 1997–1998, 2004–2005, 2010–2011, 2016–2019
Closed:
2016 for renovation works
Architects:
Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti
Structural engineers:
Jaakko Packalén and Uuno Varjo
Tenants:
Finland national football team 1952 Summer Olympics 1957 Bandy World Championship 1971 European Athletics Championships 1983 World Championships in Athletics 1994 European Athletics Championships 2005 World Championships in Athletics UEFA Women's Euro 2009 2012 European Athletics Championships
Seating Capacity:
42,062 (36,000 after 2019 renovation)
Original Capacity:
70,000 (as olympic mode)
1.1 Olympic Stadium renovation background In order to fulfil the modern operations and services requirements and comply with safety procedures, it was decided the stadium site be expanded. The premises were designed to be more accessible, adaptable and in superior quality with a sustainable life cycle. In total, there will be about 19,300 m2 of new facilities constructed, and the entire scope of the project is about 90,000 m2 [2]. The new functional and modern Olympic Stadium will be characterized by quality architecture, and it will be achieved by maintaining the current interiors, spaciousness and impact of the premises as well as possible upgrade: old walls and stands will be retained while infrastructure and equipment will be completely renovated.
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2 Process and phases of renovation, modernization and redevelopment From the start in 2012 it was clear that preserving and modernizing the structure would be very costly. The cost of construction is being shared equally between the state and the City of Helsinki. The Stadium Foundation will contribute around EUR 7 million to equipment for the stadium. The amount of € 209 million was earmarked for the development which was later increased by €54 million, to € 261million. The funding was needed to keep the historic site in operation [3]. The planning process is mostly carried out with the support of information modelling for both the new premises and the old structures. This is a very demanding and challenging project, because the building is protected and supervised by the National Board of Antiquities and therefore all established regulations must be met and followed [4]. 2.1 Renovation and modernization overview The renovation is complex and extensive. After the renovation, all the spectator stands will be covered with canopies, the field area and the tracks will be replaced. It will also offer extended restaurant areas and more indoor sport venues. The amount of restaurant and restroom facilities will be significantly increased; about 2,500 m2 of toilet facilities will be built and the service and refreshment points will have six times their current capacity. The core and most challenging parts of the project is the renovation of the main stand’s roof and the construction of a service system tunnel around the whole stadium underneath the race track. The roof will require significant number of supporting pillars and the number has proven greater than anticipated [5]. When it comes to safety precautions of the stands, new exit routes are to be added. This will make the Stadium able to host prestigious sports competitions, such as FIFA championship since, as per their requirements the teams must not meet one another on their way to the field in a football match. Unlike modern stadiums, the Helsinki Olympic Stadium doesn’t have a circular route around it.
3 Project overview, scope of work, site work specifications 3.1 Key contractors´ and KAREG Consulting Engineers´ mandate The project was complex due to the high level of technological innovation and integration of a wide variety of contractors with different technological background and expertise. To name a few, Lemminkäinen was a main contractor for earthwork and excavation, Sweco is a contractor in charge for renovation and expansion design of the Stadium, Skanska is involved in renovation processes, Gravicon is in charge of building information modelling (BIM) coordinating the stages of renovation, K2S is an architectural company that designed the expansion of the Stadium, Projectus is a contractor in charge of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services update. The most unusual condition present in the project required special management team action with the high level of sub-contractor involvement; and as such the facet of interaction with multiple sub-project managers. Additionally, there were other smaller sub-contracted project teams that assisted in the overall execution of dif-
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ferent tasks, sub-projects and sub-project phases [6]. The original mandate of KAREG Consulting Engineers was to be involved in the blasting work, in particular in blasting near structures and near the Tower to monitor, measure and assess the blasting criteria. Because of difficult conditions, the mandate of KAREG Consulting Engineers was extended to modifying and re-assessment of blasting specifications, plans and scheduling to ensure the compliance with safety and blasting regulations [7]. Blasting and monitoring was undertaken by a contractor under the supervision of the corresponding author, who as a specialist and expert in this area ensured careful and precise execution of work. 3.2 Complex excavation The first phase of the three-year project started in March 2016. Lemminkäinen served as the main contractor for earthworks and has excavated more space for maintenance facilities and access routes. During this complex project, some of the blasting and excavation work was carried out under existing indoor structures. Excavation work under existing structures called for a high level of accuracy. When an old pillar was encountered, it was supported and excavated under until the desired depth was reached. Then the pillar was extended and the temporary supports were dismantled. There were about 40 pillars, which meant a great deal of work requiring precision. Until the end of the year 2016, around 130 truckloads of rock was transported away from the site every day, around 60,000 solid m3 of earth was cut, and around 145,000 solid m3 were excavated (Fig. 2a) [8].
Figure 2. a) Excavation work at Helsinki Olympic Stadium; b) Designed multipurpose area
3.3 Modernization and redevelopment Sweco’s Finnish consultants was awarded a major engineering design contract and given total responsibility for structural engineering design in connection with renovation of the stadium. Among other things, the running track will be widened, roofing will be constructed over the stands and new supporting logistic facilities will be built. Skanska has been awarded the contract to renovate the Stadium. Their mandate includes new underground sport, gym and maintenance facilities as well as complete renovations of the running tracks, seating arrangements and building roofs to cover all the stands and terraces. The entire project and all stages of
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renovation have been monitored by the Finnish National Board of Antiquities to ensure compliance with demands on building preservation and sustainable design. 3.4 Expansion 3.4.1
Helsinki multipurpose arena near the Olympic Stadium
Gravicon is the BIM coordinator of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium renovation project as well as the supplier the Modelspace project management tool for the project. Finnish architecture practice K2S has designed a multipurpose arena to be constructed next to the Stadium. The new multipurpose hall and a sports hotel are located on the eastern side of the Mäntymäki square with the seating capacity of the arena is 13 000 people and there are 240 rooms in the hotel. The building is defined by its large curved canopy, with commercial facilities positioned at street level (Fig. 2b). The large curved canopy creates a strong independent identity to the arena and at the same time the horizontal mass blends together with the landscape and Olympic park (Fig. 3). The majority of internal floor space is placed underground, where a subterranean link connects the building with the region’s underground railway line.
Figure 3. Aerial view of the new multipurpose arena (left), and the five storey sports hotel (right)
3.4.2
Building services design, update and renovation
The importance of intelligent building solutions is growing both in new construction and renovation projects as buildings become more and more technically advanced and energy efficiency requirements become increasingly stringent. The building services of the stadium are being designed by the Helsinki-based company Projectus Team Oy, who are using state-of-the-art design tools to speed up the project [9]. In the company’s design process, the quality assurance and cross-checking of the data models are performed as a continuous process: the pointcloud data obtained on the site are compared directly with the design by means of the Navisworks and
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Navistools Pointcloud applications. Projects of this kind are considered particularly challenging in terms of building services, since there can be a bewildering array of structures, of many types, all dating from different eras. There are almost always some surprises along the way, such as unusual concrete structures that have been cast on site. The existing structures seldom can be surveyed properly, because there are gaps in the documentation. In these cases, point-cloud data obtained by laser scanning helps us to map the existing structures and building techniques, which can then be used in the data-modelling design.
4 Conclusions The Olympic Stadium, with its architecture and history, is one of the most iconic buildings in Finland. The importance of intelligent building solutions is growing both in new construction and renovation projects as buildings become technically advanced and energy efficiency requirements become increasingly demanding. This is one of the biggest renovation projects of all times in Finland and the Olympic Stadium will be transformed into a state-of-the-art sports arena of international class together with the multi-purpose arena that meets international standards and requirements for major events in terms of facilities, services, performance areas, logistics and technical equipment. After the renovation has been completed, the Olympic Stadium will be Finland’s most important event venue, serving sports, culture, entertainment and tourism with the largest capacity in the country expected to be visited each year by about one million persons.
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References [1] Muñoz, F. (1997) Historic evolution and urban planning typology of Olympic Villages. Barcelona Centre d’Estudis Olímpics UAB. [Consulted: dd/mm/yy]
