Tampere Tramway – A Century-Old Vision Realized
The idea of a tramway in Tampere dates back to 1907, but only became reality in 2021. With construction in two phases, the system connects key parts of the city and reshapes the streetscape of Hämeenkatu — Tampere’s historic main street.
Designing a Pole that Serves Many Purposes
Tehomet delivered nearly 700 joint-use poles for the project. The new design had to combine technical capacity, sleek aesthetics, and long-term durability. Poles needed to host tram cables, luminaires, and event lighting, while blending into Tampere’s architectural heritage.
Inspired by Nature and History
Designers from WhiteNight Lighting drew inspiration from Tampere’s old trolleybus poles and Finnish nature. The breakthrough came with the “corkscrew” design: straight steel tubes twisted in appearance through parametric modeling, creating a dynamic yet timeless form.
Engineering Meets Urban Design
Beyond aesthetics, the poles integrate advanced optics to reduce glare, with tailored lighting for roadways, walkways, and façades. Built with cross-braced structures and protected by Plascoat coating, they are engineered for decades of service with minimal maintenance.
Collaboration and Local Impact
Close cooperation between the City of Tampere, designers, and Tehomet ensured cost-effective manufacturing and smooth delivery. Poles were produced at Tehomet’s Kangasniemi factory and delivered in small batches at night to minimize traffic disruption.
A New Identity for Hämeenkatu
The new lighting differentiates pedestrian areas with warm tones (3000K) and transit routes with cooler light (4000K), creating safety and atmosphere. The corkscrew poles have already become a visual signature of Tampere’s renewed city center — linking history, design, and everyday life.
- Location: Tampere, Finland
- Construction year: 2017–21
- Used in: Traffic Lighting
- Designer: WhiteNight Lighting
- Photographer: Ilpo Aalto and Skyfox
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