Tampereen Nikama wins Tampere's 2026 Good Building Award for its hybrid design

City of Tampere announced the winner at Pirkanmaan Rakentajien Pira Day on 3 November 2026.

The environment and construction subcommittee praised the project for combining housing, retail, shared spaces and Tamperemissio offices. At street level, a wood-clad city pocket houses the ROP artist group's artwork "Connection", which symbolises growth and adaptability. The building uses ribbed concrete base elements and brick cladding on the upper floors. Residents have a rooftop terrace and sauna. The project carries a three-star environmental rating from Rakennustieto.

According to YLE, during its spring visit only a fraction of Nikama’s apartments had been sold and many units were still vacant.

"It is admirable that in these difficult times for construction, Tamperemissio has embarked on an ambitious project in the city centre. Oy Nikama is a new landmark on Kyttälänkatu, a fine example of a hybrid residential block and an impressive architectural whole that blends seamlessly into the surrounding urban landscape. On the subcommittee we share the view that Tampere needs new, durable buildings alongside existing protected sites," said Jussi Lahtinen, chair of the environment and construction subcommittee.

The shortlist included Hervanta Church's full renovation, several new apartment projects and a conversion that won the public vote. That winner was Ruusupuisto daycare at Gauffininkatu 8, a sensitive restoration and reuse of a protected 1890s red-brick barn formerly used as a psychiatric hospital. Candidates were drawn from projects completed between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026. The award recognises strong architecture in line with the city's architecture programme, as well as good site management and cooperation between authorities and project teams.

YLE adds that Hervanta Church’s renovation was its first full renovation since 1979. The work included re-masonry of damaged brick façades and a relatively modest reconfiguration of the interiors, while the building’s systems were modernised and original elements kept where they could be repaired.

YLE also reports that Ruusupuisto daycare’s restoration aimed to preserve the historic barn character while improving accessibility. The building is part of Hatanpää manor.

In October, the shortlist and public voting process were published, with six projects put forward for the prize when voting opened. The Nikama project is part of the wider Tamperemissio city-pocket development that the city profiled earlier this year when the city-pocket tower was launched.