Kruunusillat Helsinki design, Crown Bridges Finnish architecture, Knight Architects Finland news
Kruunusillat Helsinki – tallest bridge in Finland
16 March 2025
Design: Knight Architects, WSP Finland
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Finland’s tallest and longest bridge reaches key milestone
Kruunuvuorensilta photos: Aarni Salomaa
Structural milestone reached on Finland’s tallest bridge as distinctive 135m diamond-form pylon completes.
Kruunusillat Helsinki Bridge Design
The Kruunusillat (Crown Bridges) project connecting Helsinki’s city centre with the new island suburb of Laajasalo has completed its centrepiece
A significant milestone has been reached on Finland’s tallest and longest bridge structure as the distinctive 135m tall diamond-form pylon, a structurally-critical element of the Kruunusillat (Crown Bridges) scheme in Helsinki, has been completed.
Designed for the City of Helsinki by Knight Architects; a global architectural practice specialising in the design of bridges and civil infrastructure, and WSP Finland; leading consulting engineers, the 1.2km-long crossing will connect Helsinki’s city centre to the new island suburb of Laajasalo, enabling the development of a brand-new waterside community.
The main Kruunuvuorensilta crossing centres on a slender 135m diamond pylon, supporting two 250m span cable-stayed spans either side. The cables are currently being attached, after which the current temporary props will be removed.
Having now reached its full height, the distinctive diamond form of the pylon – an architectural reference to the historic crown ownership of the bay area – will become an instantly recognisable symbol of Helsinki, as well as the tallest bridge structure in the country.
Unusually for a project of this scale, Kruunusillat will be car-free – carrying only a new light rail line connecting to Helsinki’s extensive tram network, as well as a route for cyclists and pedestrians, ensuring Laajasalo will be connected directly to the heart of Helsinki with efficient, reliable and sustainable year-round public transport. This commitment to sustainable public transport and active mobility forms part of Helsinki’s wider target of becoming a car-free city by 2030, with Laajasalo master planned as a largely car-free community.
Knight Architects and WSP Finland won an international design competition for the project in 2013, with construction having commenced at the end of 2021. Construction of the bridge is due to be completed later this year.
Tom Osborne, Director at Knight Architects, said:
“We have been working on Kruunusillat for over a decade, so it’s fantastic to have reached this critical milestone in its delivery. The distinctive diamond now provides Helsinki with an instantly recognisable addition to its skyline, that we hope soon comes to symbolise not only the identity of this wonderful city, but it’s continued efforts to shift to sustainable transport modes.
At Knight Architects, we strive to design bridges that do much more than just connect A to B. We aim to create beautiful structures that respect and enhance their environment and generate lasting value, and Kruunusillat is a great example of that approach in action.”
Kruunusillat Helsinki, Finland’s tallest bridge – Building Information
PROJECT TEAM
• Client: The City of Helsinki
• Design Team: Knight Architects, WSP Finland
• Construction Consultant: HTJ Oy
• Contractor: Kreate Oy / YIT JV
Knight Architects
ABOUT KNIGHT ARCHITECTS
Knight Architects, a global architectural consultancy specialising in the design of bridges and civil infrastructure, creates sustainable, innovative and beautiful structures that connect and enrich communities, enhance a sense of place, and generate lasting value.
Founded in 2006, Knight Architects has delivered more than 70 projects around the world and has grown to become the leading specialist bridge architect in Europe, with a highly respected international reputation. The practice combines the disciplines of architecture, design, and engineering to provide a holistic service to clients.
Knight Architects’ approach is informed by a deep understanding of people and place and a commitment to the social responsibility of bridge and infrastructure design. Through this approach, Knight Architects seeks to bring people together, improve wellbeing, foster economic activity, enrich communities, enhance a sense of place and generate lasting value.
The practice’s approach to bridge and infrastructure design has been recognised through a range of awards, not only for design but for social impact and community benefit. Most recently, these include a Structural Award 2019 and International Civic Trust Award 2020 for its Kienlesbergbrücke in Ulm, Germany and the Special Award for Community Impact & Engagement (Civic Trust Award 2022) for New Pooley Bridge in Cumbria.
Knight Architects is an RIBA Chartered Practice.
www.knightarchitects.co.uk
Kruunuvuorensilta photographs: Aarni Salomaa
Kruunusillat Helsinki, Finland’s tallest bridge development imagers / information from Knight Architects
Location: Helsinki, Finland, northeast Europe
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