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Meander

Architect: Steven Holl Architects
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Type: Residential
Year: 2024
Photographs: Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Oy, Jenny Kallio

The following description is courtesy of the architects. Meander shapes void spaces within an urban block and maximizes views and sunlight for 115 apartments. The 180-meter-long building, varying in height from two to seven floors, traverses its rectangular site like a musical score. Located in Helsinki’s cultural district Taka-Töölö along Taivallahti Bay, the site is bordered by the Taivallahti Barracks of apartments and offices. Rising in section towards the sea horizon, Meander introduces openness to the historic barracks.

The facade concept evokes a wooden ship inside a glass bottle. Meander is carried by load bearing perpendicular concrete walls and glazed with horizontally hinged glass panels. The atmosphere of each apartment is characterized by the unique, varying quality of Nordic light. All units open onto the landscape through high windows and private balconies with views to the Baltic Sea horizon or Hesperianpuisto Park. At night, the building glows like an ice sculpture.

The building is imbued with the experiential dimension of material and detail. Custom door handles, light fixtures, hand woven wool carpets, and cast dog bowls echo the Meander form. All wood is locally sourced, including sustainably harvested Finnish spruce for the exterior cladding, balconies, and windows.

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Sixteen geothermal wells heat and cool the building, with radiant floors throughout the units, minimizing overall lifecycle emissions. All units receive natural light and ventilation. An extensive green roof and solar array provide performance benefits and a sloping scenic footpath. Gardens shaped by the building voids incorporate rainwater collecting systems and diverse plantings, including native wild species.

Among the shared spaces for residents are saunas, yoga studio, wine cellar, common leisure and coworking spaces, and a 12-seat cinema. Art and architecture are synthesized through the work of Finnish visual artist Fanny Tavastila, who created unique pieces for each resident’s home as well as the common living spaces of Meander.

Steven Holl Architects achieved international acclaim with the competition-winning design for the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, completed in 1997. Meander marks the studio’s return to Helsinki upon winning the competition for an apartment building in 2006, collaborating first with local Finnish architect Vesa Honkonen and then with Pentti Kareoja from ARK-house Architects. In 2021, Newil&Bau acquired the development, enhancing the design by adding meticulously crafted yard spaces, curated interiors, and innovative, resident-centric services. Steven Holl Architects x Newil&Bau Meander completed in 2024 after 18 years of dedication.

Project Details

• Program: 115 apartments, exterior spaces all apartments, shared facilities include saunas, yoga studio, 12-seat cinema, wine cellar, coworking spaces, garage for 68 cars (including 1 car for shared use)
• Ecological Innovation: 16 geothermal wells 340m deep, extensive green roof, roof mounted solar panels, stormwater management feature, local materials including sustainably harvested Finnish spruce, natural light and air via balconies to every unit
• Project Type: housing, international competition (first prize)
• Site area: 95650 sf / 8886 sm
• Site Size: 6578 sm
• Gross Building Area: 14041 sm (including garage)
• Unit Area: 7526,5 sm

Project Credits

• Client: City of Helsinki, Newil&Bau
• Architect: Steven Holl Architects
  • Steven Holl (design architect)
  • Noah Yaffe (partner in charge)
  • JongSeo Lee (project architect, senior associate)
  • Alfonso Simelio, Okki Berendschot, Hannah Ahlblad, Sungjoon Chae, Yiqing Zhao (project team)
• Local Architect:
  • ARK-house Architects:
    • Pentti Kareoja (principal architect)
    • Pauli Terho (project architect)
    • Tigran Khachatryan, Jari Lepistö, Jukka Salonen, Lotta Skogström, Emma Torkkel (project team)
  • Vesa Honkonen Architects:
    • Vesa Honkonen (principal architect, competition)
    • Anja Hämäläinen, Mari Koskinen, Tina Olli, Jaana Tiikkaja, Erika de Martino (project team, competition)
• Master Planning: Helsinki City Planning Office
  • Janne Prokkola
• Interior Designer: Fyra
  • Tiina Närkki, Emma Keränen, Merja Virkkunen, Sisko Anttalainen, Otto Kaipio
• Landscape architect: VSU Maisema-arkkitehdit Oy
  • Outi Palosaari
  • Minna Raassina
• Structural Engineer: A-insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy
  • Sami Moisio (principal engineer)
  • Jukka Paappanen, Jani Hyyryläinen, Mikko Hanka, Ali Mohseni, Sallamari Hietanen, Joonas Kärki (project team)
• HVAC Engineer: Sitowise
  • Jaakko Juslin, Pekka Kytömäki
• Electricity Engineer: Sitowise
  • Mikko Auvinen, Petja Berg
• Fire Consultant: Sitowise
  • Sami Hämäläinen, Jere Sulkama, Satu Stenfors
• Main Contractor: SSA
  • Samuli Särkiniemi, Keijo Laasonen, Olli Pyhäjoki,
  • Mikko Ohra-Aho, Anton Väänänen, Jari Kolehmainen, Antti Kuusisto, Eila Malanin, Akseli Escartin, Katariina Suominen, Pekka Alajoki, Eemeli Henttonen, Ville Puurtinen, Niko Aaltonen
• Glazing Designer/Contractor: Stamper Solutions
  • Aleksei Sapunov, Konstantin Obersneider, Signe Siemann