New concepts for apartment blocks

An architectural vision of Low2No apartment blocks in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki

Helsinki is systematically developing new concepts for varied types of apartment blocks to render this type of housing an appealing alternative for residents. The effort underscores the emphasis in Helsinki on high density and public transport, as sustainable approaches to urban development.

 The City of Helsinki has launched a programme for apartment block developers, designers and builders to improve apartment block concepts from a number of perspectives including technical, functional, aesthetic and social. Participants in the programme should come up with new types of apartment blocks, increase the flexibility of alternations to units, improve courtyard concepts, and aim at reasonable cost and energy efficiency.

 The programme is comprised of 14 themes, which each group together initiatives that can be used by programme participants in the planning and execution of building and construction projects. The programme will also involve studies carried out by participants, and the findings can be freely utilized by all.
 
A number of projects have already been approved for the programme. One is a housing complex in Lauttasaari partially over the sea and utilizing seawater for cooling. The Low2No project in Jätkäsaari by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra aims at a low-carbon urban building complex that will eventually promote transition to a no-carbon complex.
 
NCC and Fennia are building “self-sufficient” units in apartment blocks in Viikki: the units incorporate all functions including storage space, room-specific temperature control, and unit-specific heat monitoring and billing. Car-less city blocks are planned for Kalasatama, one of the districts in Helsinki recently vacated from port operations and redeveloped for new uses.