Study of building types for city boulevards
Type: study and report
Client: City of Helsinki
Status: completed
Timeline: 2014
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Scope of project: 133 pages
Team: Vesa Humalisto (partner in charge), Emilia Ellilä (project architect), Sami Heikkinen, Antti Lehto, Martin McLean
Collaborators: Promethor, Trafix
Innovative housing solutions tackle the issues of noise and air pollution.
Context
A considerable proportion of the infill development in the new Helsinki town plan is located along existing main routes leading into the city. Traffic corridors are set for a transformation into urban boulevards.
We have also designed an urban boulevard for the City of Oulu.
A palette of options
We carried out a study of the existing solutions for noise suppression. Results were categorized according to street network, block and building type, and facade solution.
Noise simulation provided the starting point for the design of the blocks.
Three new block models
Out of eight original block models, three were selected for further development.
In the first model, a slight indentation creates a more sheltered entrance to the block. In closed blocks, the balconies and bedrooms face the protected inner courtyard.
In the second model, individual building masses are connected with lined balcony blocks. In addition, every other side street is transformed into a noise-free alleyway.
The third model consists of triangular volumes linked by corner balconies. Each apartment has its own sheltered balcony opening onto an inner courtyard, which is protected from noise.
Using simulation for verification
The noise-dispersing properties of the model blocks were studied using simulations with differing traffic densities and speeds.
