International Architecture Awards Tell a friend

Architects: Steven Holl Architects
Lead Architect: Steven Holl
Design Team: Noah Yaffe, JongSeo Lee, Alfonso Simelio, Okki Berendschot, Hannah Ahlblad, Sungjoon Chae, Yiqing Zhao, and Nour Chahboun
Architects of Record: ARK-house Architects
Lead Architect: Pentti Kareoja
Design Team: Pauli Terho, Tigran Khachatryan, Jari Lepistö, Jukka Salonen, Lotta Skogström, and Emma Torkkel
Competition Team: Vesa Honkonen Architects
Lead Architect: Vesa Honkonen
Design Team: Anja Hämäläinen, Mari Koskinen, Tina Olli, Jaana Tiikkaja, and Erika de Martino
Interior Design Team: Tiina Närkki, Emma Keränen, Merja Virkkunen, Sisko Anttalainen, and Otto Kaipio-Fyra
Landscape Architects: VSU Maisema-arkkitehdit Oy
Lead Landscape Architects: Outi Palosaari and Minna Raassina
General Contractor: SSA Rakennus Oy
Client: Newil&Bau
Photographers: Jenny Kallio, Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Oy

Located in Helsinki's cultural and historical district Taka-Töölö along the Taivallahti Bay, the site of Meander housing is enclosed by the Taivallahti Barracks, two apartment buildings and an office block. Out of this bounded inner block the 8,886 sm building rises in section towards the sea horizon, providing breathing space to the historic barracks and maximizing views and sunlight to the 117 apartments in the new building. Every unit has a view to either the Baltic Sea or Hesperia Park. The 180m long glass building with a height varying from two to seven floors travels across the rectangular courtyard like a musical score, shaping garden void spaces within the block. Meander is carried by load bearing perpendicular concrete walls and glazed with horizontally hinged glass panels. During the evenings, the building glows like an ice sculpture.

SHA's design shapes void spaces within Meander's urban block while maximizing views, resulting in a work of architecture that is deliberately connected to its environment and the rotation of the sun. Meander is an example of sustainable design. During its use phase, the building's carbon footprint is approximately 50% of the carbon footprint of a conventional apartment building. Meander features a geothermal heating system, solar panels, smart building automation as well as optimized design solutions for doors and windows. The building structures are designed to last for more than 100 years before they require refurbishment.