2023
Lapinjärvi, Finland
18 000 m²
Architecture Competition entry
In collaboration with architect Aleksi Murtojärvi
New Routes and Neighbourhoods
The proposal envisions a renewed and cohesive village centre for Lapinjärvi. The plan strengthens Lapinjärventie’s role as both the central route and the “calling card” of the village, introducing new public spaces, housing, and services that support everyday life and local identity.
Two new pedestrian routes form a continuous loop connecting the village centre with the lakeshore. Together they create a walkable and pleasant connections that unite the currently separate areas, enriched with greenery, art, and small places to meet and rest.
Residential courtyards near the lakeshore reinterpret the traditional Finnish farmhouse composition. Each group of homes forms a sheltered shared yard, balancing privacy and neighbourly life. Buildings follow the edge of the open fields to preserve long views toward Lapinjärvi, while new trees soften the built edge. A local street serves car access quietly from the south, keeping courtyards calm and safe.
The apartment buildings and market square closer to the village center form a compact, small-scale neighbourhood. The three- to four-storey buildings have pitched roofs suited to the rural setting, with ground floors designed for small businesses, workshops, and shared uses.
The old school area by the fields becomes a green community hub with allotment gardens and a summer café in the preserved school building. Nearby, the new building completes a cluster of learning and cultural buildings connected to the library and museum, supported by outdoor sports and play areas.
