Next summer’s (2008) Housing Fair will be held at an extremely beautiful location by the sea in Suvilahti, Vaasa. The lush vegetation of the countryside can be seen from the windows of the houses at the fair; it is even possible to glimpse the waves on the sea, even though the centre of Vaasa is only three kilometres away. The most important amenities, like the school, kindergarten and shopping centre, are also very close.

Suvilahti, which was originally developed in the 1960’s and 70’s, will now bask in the attention it receives from its new residents and the thousands of visitors coming to the housing fair.

HOUSING FAIR AREA

Urban living while close to nature

The housing fair area consists of private houses, small housing associations and blocks of flats, all of which have been built in an urban style, while still succeeding in remaining close to nature. A total of 19 private houses are being built along the seashore at Liito-oravankatu. The plots are approximately 700 m²: A total of 28 small housing associations are being built along Majavanpolku and three blocks of flats are being built along Ketunkatu.

Special attention is paid to the planning of the gardens and parks since the entire Suvilahti area was already formally known as a real garden suburb. The aim is that the yards and gardens at the Vaasa Housing Fair 2008 will be blooming next to the houses.

The close proximity to nature is also promoted by the forests and illuminated jogging tracks along the shoreline from which walkers can pop across to the beautiful island route at the exhibition area. There are many opportunities to spend your free time in the area, e.g. the ice hall, Ahvensaari beach and the network of skiing tracks on the ice in winter.

 

THEMES

Homes for everyone

A TV-House, a modern log home, an archipelago home complete with lighthouse tower, s well as an open functionalist house are remarkable and interesting examples of houses at the Vaasa Housing Fair.

The site plan of the area is quite flexible, which provides an opportunity for a diverse range of houses to be built along the shoreline. The prefabricated housing industry, including the Ostrobothnian housing industry especially, is widely represented. For example, almost all the private houses are being built in cooperation with the prefabricated housing industry.

The wide range of houses on display follows the theme for the Vaasa Housing Fair: Homes for Everyone! There are traditional and modern houses, luxurious as well as simpler designs, personal as well as standard styles. Different materials have also been used extensively. Every visitor will probably find their own dream home at the Vaasa Housing Fair.

Ecological values

The other important theme at the Vaasa Housing Fair is Ecology. The most loveable features of the Suvilahti suburb are its verdant nature and close proximity to the sea. Green values have had an influence on everything, from the planning of the area to actually building the houses. The most noticeable ecological feature is the low-energy system, which is unique in the world and utilises the warmth from the seabed to heat up the houses.

This low-energy system developed for the housing fair area is an invention made by energy experts in Vaasa, and in 2006 it won the Innosuomi prize. A pipe network was laid on the seabed in order to accumulate heat for the houses at the fair. During the summer, this low-energy system can be used to cool the houses. The heat pumps in the houses are powered by combustible methane gas, which is collected from the old Suvilahti rubbish dump. Therefore, the area is almost self sufficient in its energy needs.

See also Malcolm Pemberton's http://www.vaasapages.com.

Vaasa offers fair visitors experiences and sights,
which are not to be missed!
We warmly welcome you to the sunny city by the sea next summer 2008!