Namika Basketball Arena

Namika Areena is the flagship sports facility of the Helsinki YMCA in Pakila, Helsinki. Situated by the Ring I, the busiest road in Finland, the quality of the building’s architecture was held to an especially high standard. The colour of the concrete façade was accomplished through Umbra colour patination, and it’s shade was inspired by a traditional leather basketball. The building and its façade is split into two sections by a canyon that separates the main sports facilities from each other, while also allowing the indoor spaces to be in touch with the cityscape outside.

Basketball games are televised in the world-class Areena court, while another multi-activity court and a diverse selection of exercise facilities provide for auxiliary training. Despite its main use for YMCA basketball, the sports facilities of Namika Areena are used by neighbourhood schools during daytime, as well as by other associations providing leisure activities in the evenings.

Several street basketball and two padel courts are situated in the grounds. During major events, they provide additional parking space. Some locker rooms can be accessed directly from the outside, serving the local football club’s airdome across the yard. To avoid interfering with the surrounding nature, a resting pole provides a route for flying squirrels to cross the yard safely. The yard has been designed by Nomaji Landscape Architects.