The City of Helsinki (Finland) is looking to insulate al fresco diners against the cool Nordic weather, launching a competition to find an eco-efficient concept that could prolong the restaurant terrace season.

"We are delighted with the extensive publicity that the competition has gained, for example, in social media. We also got a delightfully varied participant group, as entries were submitted by design companies, architects' offices, garden and terrace companies, student groups as well as by active citizens," said competition jury member Anne Stenros.

The competition was arranged as part of the Climate Street project, which seeks functional solutions for the built urban environment that can be used to cut greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Design company Urban Gardens was awarded for their "GUT Green Urban Terrace" concept, as well as WSP Finland's entry "terassi.hel.fi". The "GUT Green Urban Terrace" design includes a green roof and wall that can be established temporarily in a parking space, and certified wood furniture. The "terassi.hel.fi" project is a platform for restaurant entrepreneurs to design their own terraces. Instead of a single solution, this system produces tailor-made, ecological solution proposals.

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