KOTKA RETAIL MALL

The wider Kotka-Hamina region is one of the largest sea ports in Finland and Kotka itself has a proud marine history. Kotkamills, a significant producer of timber and paper products, operates a large factory at the northern end of the city. Modern methods of production have resulted in the factory needing a smaller footprint, resulting in the old port area adjacent becoming available for redevelopment.

A masterplan for the site has been completed by AHR for the remaining 22 hectares. This includes a 2 phase retail outlet mall, 2 hotels, an entertainment complex, new residential buildings, new public squares with pedestrian and cycle routes, a marina, a bus terminus and all ancillary functions that are needed to create a vibrant 24 hour usable environment.

The outlet mall sits between the existing Kotka city centre and
the sea. The city facing and sea facing elevations of the mall have been designed to reflect the differences in their aspect and functions. The landscape and material treatment of the buildings within the complete masterplan gradually changes from a softer and greener environment on the southern edge to a harder more industrial ‘port like’ architecture facing the sea. Kotka is an ideal location for an outlet mall as it is close to Helsinki, it is a prominent destination within Finland, and is located close to the Russian border and Saint Petersburg. Over 4 million Russians cross the border into Finland every year due to the lure of significant savings in shopping expenditure. A cruise line route is also planned to stop adjacent to the Mall from 2018.

The scheme consists of 58 internal facing and 13 external facing retail units. There are a further 6 restaurants facing onto the sea. The outlet is designed as a linear mall with the loop encompassing the external retail units. The circulation is punctured with alternating small and large squares. A central food court has been designed within a bright winter garden whilst a large square to the east provides flexible space for fashions shows, concerts, and cultural events.

The retail village takes its design cues from the existing history of the site. Material references from the existing context have included steel (rail tracks and industrial sheds), timber (railway sleepers, timber frame and timber clad sheds), and port architecture (existing cranes, anchoring bollards). Another significant reference is the former use of the site by the timber industry with the strong aesthetic of tree trunks floating in random patterns in the sea on their way to the saw mill.

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