Building Permit Granted for Cultural River Float in Turku
The Cultural River Float for Turku has been granted a building permit. The wooden floating structure will provide a place of cultural activity on the River Aura in downtown Turku, Finland. Including saunas, pools for swimming and a restaurant, it is designed to function as a platform for a wide range of activities from sports to social gatherings.
The generous roof terraces will afford great views over the river and the surrounding city. Serving people of all ages throughout the year, the Cultural River Float will make the river a living part of the city.
With pine as the main material, the wide, amphitheater-like wooden stairs in both ends of the structure form a functional focal point for the building. The sculpted shape of the pavilion-like restaurant gives a strong visual identity for the floating structure. The multifaceted roof links the structure to the surrounding modernist buildings with its bold, contemporary expression. The green creepers growing along the walls, in turn, connect with the greenery in the park by the river.
The spaces are divided into functionally differentiated zones. The lower level is dedicated to spa functions, including a 25 meter long heated pool, a hot pool and a pool with cold water. The second floor houses restaurant facilities complemented with a roof top terrace.
The Cultural River Float is realized in collaboration between OOPEAA and Nordic Urban. The design is developed from the basis of the competition winning proposal “Kaarna”. It is based on the Allas Global Concept created by OOPEAA for Nordic Urban. You can find more information on them on our homepage.