Samoankuja housing
Background: direct commission
Type: building and courtyard design
Client: Oulun Rakennusteho Ltd
Status: completed 2023
Timeline: 2019–2023
Location: Jätkäsaari, Helsinki
Scope of project: 4100 m² housing (44 apartments), 350 m² commercial
Team: Vesa Humalisto (partner in charge), Tuomas Voutilainen (project architect, construction), Timo Arjanko (project architect, building permit), Jenni Merinen (project architect, draft phase), Anni-Mari Anttola / Leena Buller (landscape architect in charge), Valtteri Hautsalo, Daniel Reini, Antti Haataja, Miia Ranta-aho, Timo Paananen, Viktoria Mazaeva
Photography: Daniel Reini, Miia Ranta-aho
The principles of multisensory and universal design have guided the design of the brick residential building.
Location
Samoan Fale is located in Melkinlaituri area in Jätkäsaari. The site is close to the sea and well connected to public transport. The building is next to the Samoankuja pedestrian street crossing the area.
Photo: Suomen Ilmakuva Ltd / Helsinki City Museum 2014
Inspiration from afar
Fale is a traditional Samoan dwelling with a large straw roof. The aim was to design a building with a simple appearance, but a different roof shape, yet suitable for the cityscape. Other details have also drawn inspiration from the same source.
A multi-sensory living environment
The project was initiated with a study based on a literature review and expert interviews to find ways to increase multisensory design in residential environments. The research report will be published later.
In Samoan Fale, solutions that support multisensory and holistic accessibility include: centralized mail delivery, consideration of contrast in material choices, and personalization of stair levels by various means. In addition, the minimum requirements of accessibility have been surpassed where possible.
Personalized urban living
The apartment design aimed for varying types of apartments, and the result is a wide variety of spacious family apartments. Thanks to the block orientation, different apartment types open to all directions, and most of the apartments open in two directions. The two-story loft-type apartments offer a unique atmosphere.
Breezes from the tropics
The courtyard is a haven of sensory experience: paths of gravel and stone ash absorb storm water, but also enrich the soundscape. Main routes and entrances are clearly indicated using brick and suitable lighting. Wooden boardwalks lead to the rain garden.
The yard supports multisensory experiences. The gravel and stone ash surfaces of the routes absorb storm water, but also enrich the passers’ soundscape. The main routes and entrances are clearly visible with a courtyard brick surface and lighting. Wooden piers lead to the rain garden.
