


Stage 1: 25 May–2 October 2026 - Stage 2: 1–4/2027
The University of Oulu and Student Housing Foundation of Northern Finland (PSOAS) are holding an open international architectural competition in cooperation with the City of Oulu, the Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia (Pohde) and the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA). The purpose of the competition is to create a long-term urban and architectural vision for the new university campus and to support changes to the local detailed plan for the project.
The competition seeks an attractive, architecturally outstanding, highly functional and comprehensive phased solution. Created to be an integral part of the University of Oulu and the wider urban structure, the solution must be environmentally responsible, healthy and economically sustainable.

The competition and study areas are marked on the map. The scope of the study area is 402,282 m², of which the scope of the competition area is 88,099 m2. The building stock currently in the competition area will be demolished. The study area is demarcated as an area that must be taken into account when adapting the design solution to its environment and that may be affected by the proposed construction and placement of functions within the competition area. If desired, entrants may present motifs and ideas in support of their design solutions for the study area.
Entrants are not bound by the current local detailed plan, which is to be amended. In other words, entrants are not bound by building area boundaries, indicative internal traffic alignments, parking, green zones, etc.
The competition area is located in Kontinkangas, Oulu, approximately two kilometres from the city centre, right next to Oulu University Hospital. The actual competition area covers approximately 88,099 m², and the surrounding study area covers 402,282 m². The existing building stock in the competition area will be demolished.
The area is connected to key transport routes and is easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, and car. The Kontinkangas environment is characterised by a strong functional identity, varied terrain, valuable green areas, and historically layered hospital and campus development.

Competition secretary: Hanna-Kaisa Karppinen
hanna-kaisa.karppinen@oulu.fi
Competition secretary: Hanna-Kaisa Karppinen
hanna-kaisa.karppinen@oulu.fi
All times are Finnish time (UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer).
Competitors are encouraged to submit their proposals to the system well before the deadline. An unfinished version may also be submitted, in which case the competitor will receive a personal access code. This code can be used to supplement and edit the proposal within the competition period.
The competitor must keep the access code they receive safe, as it is the only way to edit the proposal until the deadline closes. The access code is also included in the PDF receipt downloaded through the browser when submissions are saved.
The latest saved version at the time the deadline closes will be considered the submitted competition proposal.
Kilpailijoita kehotetaan jättämään ehdotuksensa järjestelmään hyvissä ajoin ennen määräajan päättymistä. Järjestelmään voi palauttaa myös keskeneräisen version, jolloin kilpailija saa henkilökohtaisen pääsykoodin. Tämän koodin avulla ehdotusta voidaan täydentää ja muokata kilpailuajan puitteissa.
Kilpailijan on säilytettävä saamansa pääsykoodi huolellisesti, sillä ainoastaan sen avulla ehdotusta voidaan muokata määräajan sulkeutumiseen saakka. Pääsykoodi sisältyy myös talletusten yhteydessä selaimen kautta latautuvaan PDF-tositteeseen.
Viimeisin talletettu versio katsotaan määräajan sulkeutuessa palautetuksi kilpailuehdotukseksi.