Stretching for self-sufficiency, Resilient Mikkeli binds together the new lakefront in a symbiosis of diversity with form fitting landscapes. Ranging from performing wetlands to an inter-woven civic promenade, the lakefront is alive with activity.

With innovative public and private spaces that engage local residents, recognize seasonal variation, and immerse residents in nature, our strategy is to create 5 self-sufficient zones around thecentral lake of Satamalahti. Defined by the existing landscape, each of the individual zones is composed of a personal block structure that integrates into the existing fabric and terrain. Utilizing the strict grid of the city center and the established birch plantings, Resilient Mikkeli brings a variety of living types, building typologies, and plot sizes.

Within every development zone, we have developed a self-supporting eco-structure. With designed ecologies fit into the landscape, our proposal stands on four pillars: a connected water cycle, a balance of energy use and production, an effective waste management cycle, and a closed loop of local production and consumption. The goal is to reach a carbon neutral development and make Mikkeli’s lakefront a flagship project for a sustainable, hybrid and self-sufficient city.

Excerpt from jurys report
“A proposal which is rich in ideas and has involved extensive research, whose ecological approach is one of the most praiseworthy in the competition.  Besides broader green issues at area level, the work has also put particular effort into in-depth planning at detail level.  Illustrative images and cross-sections packed with action and events captivatingly display the author’s strong sympathetic approach to the landscape and the local environment.”