location Kumpula, Helsinki
year 2022
function Residential, competition
focus Community courtyard
L Architects (First phase)
Partners of L Architects
&
Juho Kuovi, Anniina Kontoniemi
Visualisation: Ola Design
The new block complex at the Maternity Hospital (Kätilöopisto) seamlessly integrates into the surrounding urban structure, drawing inspiration from its immediate environment. The various pathways of the surrounding area naturally extend from the existing Maternity Hospital to the inner courtyard of the new block, bridging the old and new areas seamlessly.
The low and curving buildings surrounding the block courtyard enhance the brightness of the courtyard and create a pleasant scale for the residential environment. The buildings form an urban environment characterized by carefully considered views and openings of the apartments. The spaces between the buildings allow for views both towards the courtyard and the street, offering residents a versatile environment.
The apartments in the block offer flexible living with adaptable housing types that cater to different life situations and changing housing preferences. Additionally, it is possible to explore the possibility of combining larger apartments with adjacent smaller ones, enhancing the building's long-term flexibility and reducing the need for modifications or demolition.
The proposal advanced to the second stage of the competition among the top three.
