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Meander, like the winding path of a river, shapes void spaces within an urban block and maximizes views and sunlight for 117 apartments. The 180-meter-long building, varying in height from two to seven floors, traverses its rectangular site like a musical score. 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.
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Located in Helsinki’s cultural and historical district Taka-Töölö along Taivallahti Bay, the site of Meander housing is enclosed by the Taivallahti Barracks, two apartment buildings, and an office block. From this bounded inner block, the 95,650 sf building rises towards the sea horizon, providing breathing space to the historic barracks and maximizing views and sunlight to the 117 apartments. Our design shapes void spaces within Meander’s urban block while maximizing views, resulting in a work of architecture connected to its environment and the rotation of the sun.
Meander exemplifies a sustainable design philosophy. Fifty geothermal wells heat and cool the building, with radiant floors throughout the units, minimizing overall lifecycle emissions. All units receive natural light and ventilation. A 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.
During its use phase, the building’s carbon footprint is about 50% of the carbon footprint of a conventional apartment building. Meander features geothermal heating, solar panels, smart automation, and optimized design solutions for doors and windows. The building structures are designed to last over 100 years before requiring refurbishment.
Our design shapes void spaces within Meander’s urban block while maximizing views, resulting in a work of architecture connected to its environment and the rotation of the sun. From weather-buffered balconies to dynamically operable windows, natural ventilation, and geothermal heating/cooling, Meander Housing is designed for maximum comfort. There are four types of flats, from studios to larger ones, available across price points. Every unit has a view of the Baltic Sea or Hesperia Park. In addition to a sauna and spa area with an outdoor terrace, residents will enjoy their own yoga studio, a movie theatre, shared working and leisure spaces, and a carsharing service.
“The end result is even more amazing than what we saw in the virtual photos,” rejoices Petri Ylivuori, CEO of Newil&Bau. “The construction, and especially the completion, of Meander took place in a challenging market environment – after all, the combined sales value of the property is nearly 100 million euros. More than 90% of the apartments have been sold, and only a few family homes remain available. So, one still has a chance to find a new home in this unique building.”
Steven Holl Architects is an internationally recognized, innovative architecture and urban design office with locations in New York, the Hudson Valley, and Beijing. Founded in 1977 by Steven Holl, the firm is led today by Holl with principal Dimitra Tsachrelia and partners Noah Yaffe, Roberto Bannura, and Olaf Schmidt.
Steven Holl Architects is renowned for the ability to shape space and light with great contextual sensitivity and to catalyze the unique qualities of each project to create a concept-driven design at multiple scales, from minimal dwellings to new hybrid models of urbanism. The firm has realized architectural works around the world, with extensive experience in the arts and culture sphere (including ten pioneering museum buildings), campus and educational facilities, and residential work, as well as mixed-use developments, office design, public works, and masterplanning.
