Streamlined contemporary modernism and next to nature

The objective was to create an individual, harmonious and modern block of residential buildings at a unique location by the sea. We wanted to preserve the natural qualities and maritime scenery of the location as well as possible while minimizing the inconveniences of parking and maximising the privacy, calm and architectural quality and integrity of the apartments.

The building plot is on a forested, naturally beautiful rock, bordered across the park by the sheltering shores of the Helsinki inner archipelago to the north and east and by a densely constructed area and modern architecture to the south and west. The neighbouring buildings on the west side are flat-roofed terraced houses designed by Toivo Korhonen in 1966.

The architectural style of the block of buildings is streamlined contemporary modernism where white-plastered and timber-clad facades continue the prevalent material palette of the district. The skilfully implemented details and careful direction of the spaces and use of the plot ensure that the building fits the plot perfectly.

The building masses open clearly towards the sea. The facade on the Kuusisaarentie side protects the building from traffic noise and provides the apartments closest to Kuusisaarentie street with outdoor spaces that are protected from the eyes of passers-by. We wanted to keep the shape of the building as small and compact as possible in this sensitive environment, but also allow for multi-purpose use of the apartments throughout the year.

The outdoor spaces of the apartments are located seaward apart from a small sunbathing balcony. The sea climate at the northern facade is harsh at times, which is why the large terraces are glazed.

The buildings are designed as high-quality executive residences in terms of the location and other features. The recreational rooms at ground level are designed to be higher than a normal floor, but the building masses are still sufficiently low in terms of the landscape. The buildings rise up directly from the open rock surface on the coast side, which will be left in its natural state. The indoor and outdoor spaces are connected with diverse, covered recreational spaces outside the buildings.

By placing the parking spaces in an underground parking level under the yard, a significant portion of the yard can be used for other purposes, and the landscape dilemma of a garage is solved. The garage is designed to be in a spot that is already in a natural hollow, which minimises the amount of excavation needed and integrates the covering structure of the parking area into the environment.