Residential projects

Lauttasaari epitomizes the 1930’s suburban dream. The dream is built of seaviews, grand parks and long vistas across green courtyards between the extensive rows of apartment buildings.

Across the road is the popular hexagonal Mutteri kiosk designed by Bertel Liljeqvist in 1927 to cater for the ferry passengers on their way to their villas (Lauttasaari translates as ferry island). The first bridge to Lauttasaari was built in 1935 and the first block of apartments in 1937, on Pohjoiskaari adjacent to our site. Most of Lauttasaari had been built by the 1960’s and in 1969 a new wider bridge was built. The site is currently known for the strong concrete presence of the Finnish Composers’ Copyright Society Teosto building, built in 1972 and designed by Veikko Malmio.

Our design is based on the principles cherished in Lauttasaari: The form of the building allows for excellent views to sea from every apartment, whilst still preserving a linear form in line with the surrounding city structure allowing for long vistas across the yards. An entrance square with its own café will be formed to complement Mutteri across the road. Also a common sauna will be built on the beautiful natural rock cliff preserved as part of the courtyard rolling down to the new public marina.

Location on the map

Hartwall Arena is the largest sports stadium and entertainment complex in Helsinki. The infrastructure of the arena is dimensioned to meet the peak demand during large public events. This happens 2-5 times per year in events such as major ice hockey matches and rock shows. For the remaining time the vast potential of the arena remains unused. The unused infrastructure could supply for another 50.000 square meters of new construction.

We propose a new building on site to take this potential into use. Peak attenuation systems help to overcome the large public happenings. Simultaneously the rough public space around the arena is upgraded from an empty asphalt field into an exciting landscape of action. Site conditions provide clear starting points making tall building the only sensible approach. The proposed tower is close to 120m tall consisting of apartments, offices, and a rooftop restaurant with a viewing deck. The podium contains a sports centre with various sports programs. The roof of the podium extends the current deck surface of the Leijona square providing for the public space in terms of green landscape and various sports uses like basketball and wall climbing.

The arena is separated from the surrounding city structure by two railways and massive road networks. They provide access for the stadium and the new project, and also cause the lack of neighbours who might potentially be disturbed by a tall building nearby. The project is a strong contribution to densification and diversification of the existing urban fabric of Helsinki. By building on the bad we can add quality, usability, visibility, connectivity and sustainability to the area and the whole city of Helsinki.

Helsinki is currently developing new sustainable methods for building the city. Primarily these projects aim at increasing density at the expense of urban sprawl. One question is how to make existing built areas denser, another where and how to build high. The Cloud City project is one possible answer. As its site, the project uses the large courtyard of the 1930’s Nokia cable factory block, Merikortteli. It aims at combining a single family house typology with central location and high rise views. This is achieved by using an office tower to elevate the residential building above the surrounding ridge line. The building is literally two different architectures piled on top of each other. These two identities are never present simultaneously so they can be completely optimized for their own use and conditions. Both sections have adopted a type of camouflage relating to their specific situations. The lower office section has a façade literally reflecting the surrounding brick walls, becoming a distorted reflection of its container. Its form and reflective facade direct additional light into the yard in the winter, while in the summer it provides shade against overheating. The apartments above are made up of one room sized units, creating a small scale, detached house feel. The private terraces and greenhouses give a sense of having your own garden. Each apartment has magnificent views to the sea and across central Helsinki. On the scale of the cityscape the pixelated shape, lined by reflective glass railings and conservatories, makes the building blend into the skyline. The courtyard will be built into a public garden, with the ground level containing public functions. The 9th floor will offer a public cafe with full views to the sea.

The Loft L is built on top of an courtyard annex of a perimeter block originating from the 1920's. The apartment has windows to three directions on two levels, giving the white shapes of the roofs, walls and ceilings a very lively sculptural quality throughout the varying lighting conditions of the day and year.

The apartment is built in an old attic space which was partially converted into office use in the 1950's. Everyhting was completely rebuilt and the whole loft envelope was utilised to achieve a unique apartment which feels like a private house on top of a 8 story building. The 15 square meter roof terrace provides views over the horizon of Helsinki.