Bekkeri Port Area
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Kadarik Tüür Arhitektid
A multifunctional 15-minute district
In cooperation with the architects of Kadarik Tüür, the WHAT IF team had the opportunity to get involved in compiling the vision for the revitalization of the Bekker harbor area. The current area closed to the public will become a multifunctional 24/7 district in the future.
Scope
The total area to be developed is 26.1 hectares and has a gross area of almost 300,000+ m², which is divided between residential premises, public buildings, services, commercial and retail premises.
Character
The heritage-protected factory buildings and slipway are being revived as hybrid commercial and retail spaces, creating an uninterrupted link between the Põhjala factory area and the seafront. A 1.5 km-long waterfront promenade, combined with sunset views along the western shore, will be crowned by an opera house inspired by wave motifs, set to be built along the coastline.
Challenges
During the project, we explored how to truly design a 15-minute city when presented with a canvas of this scale. The challenge was to determine the right balance of block densities, typologies, and building heights. In addition to the new buildings, the historic factory structures were reimagined with new spatial programs, transforming them into landmark destinations that would attract people from across the city.