Helsinki Vuosaari, Rastila, Puotilanlahti and Puotila, June 2024

Helsinki Vuosaari, Rastila, Puotilanlahti and Puotila, June 2024
Music Track: The Magnificient Escape by Robert Meyers
Vuosaari (in Swedish, Nordsjö) is a district in Helsinki, Finland. It’s located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and is the largest district in Helsinki by area, covering approximately 17.07 square kilometers. Vuosaari features extensive outdoor recreation areas, beautiful seashores, and natural reserves. The name “Vuosaari” has its origins in the original Swedish name “Norsö,” which can be translated as “young island” or “Vuosaari.” The term “nor” (genitive “nors”) originally meant a long and narrow, flowing strait. Over time, Vuosaari transformed from a large island separated by such a strait to a peninsula due to land uplift. The current Finnish name, “Vuosaari,” reflects this original meaning. With over 38,000 inhabitants, Vuosaari is often considered the “Helsinki of the future” due to its positive development and abundant amenities, including recreational facilities, schools, services, cultural offerings, job opportunities, and tourism attractions. If you’re ever in Helsinki, Vuosaari is definitely worth exploring.
Rastila (in Swedish, Rastböle) is a charming residential area in the Vuosaari district of Helsinki, Finland. It covers an area of 1.11 square kilometers and is home to approximately 4,745 residents as of December 20181. The history of Rastila dates back to the Middle Ages when it was the location of the Rassböle estate. Over time, the name evolved to Rastböle. In the 1600s, the area served as a tax farm, and around the mid-1700s, Rastila Manor was established. The current main building of the manor, constructed in the early 1800s, now serves as a restaurant within the Rastila Camping site. During the early 20th century, the manor was a bustling rural estate. Notably, during the construction of Suomenlinna (the Fortress of Finland), Rastila housed a brick factory. Around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, Rastila was part of the Litorina Sea, leaving behind a significant geological feature-a rocky shoreline situated about 25 meters above the current sea level. Vanttikallio, an area within Rastila, contains remnants of a Bronze Age burial mound. Interestingly, in common speech, the name “Rastila” is sometimes used imprecisely to refer to Meri-Rastila, which lies south of Rastila across Vuotie Road. To the east, you’ll find Keski-Vuosaari, another neighboring area. Rastila is well-connected by the Rastila metro station, which opened in 1998. The station serves both Rastila and Meri-Rastila, providing convenient access to central Helsinki-approximately a 20-minute journey to Rautatientori. The metro station’s platform hall features artist Timo Heino’s artwork, “Nonstop,” composed of 16 steel plates. Rastila is also home to Helsinki’s only camping site, Rastila Camping, a five-star facility that attracts travelers from around the world. The camping area includes a winter swimming spot by the shore. Additionally, Rastila boasts a popular sandy beach located near the camping site, attracting sun-seekers during warm summer days.
Puotilanlahti is a picturesque bay located in the Puotila district of Helsinki, Finland. Here are some interesting details about it:
Location and Setting:
Puotilanlahti lies adjacent to the Puotila neighborhood, nestled between the shoreline and the surrounding park area.
The bay offers stunning views, with virtually every apartment in the area overlooking the glimmering waters of Puotilanlahti.
Architectural Context:
The Pehtoori residential development was built along the edge of Puotilanlahti, next to a historic 19th-century manor.
The design aimed to harmonize the buildings with the surrounding manor environment.
The houses’ layout was inspired by neighboring 1950s residential buildings, and their color palette was borrowed from the manor’s structures.
Balconies and entrances face the courtyard side, while the outer perimeter of the property remains serene and minimalistic-a nod to traditional Finnish wooden towns.
Construction Techniques:
The houses were constructed using on-site prefabricated elements and platform technology.
Pre-made elements were lifted into place by a crane.
The exterior cladding consists of finely sawn boards treated with petrolium oil-based paint.
Each house has its own terrace and private yard area.
Awards:
The Pehtoori development received the City of Helsinki Rose Award for Construction in 2006, recognizing its successful integration into the historic landscape.
Puotila (also known as Botby gård) is an eastern neighborhood in Helsinki, Finland. It belongs to the Vartiokylä district and is situated in the eastern part of Helsinki. Here are some key points about Puotila: . Puotila has approximately 4,930 residents.
It is one of Helsinki’s oldest suburbs, with its earliest apartment buildings completed in the fall of 1960.