Niittyleinikki and Ahomansikka Housing Association

Helsinki’s Ahomansikka and Niittyleinikki housing developments are located in a residential quarter that was developed as part of a public Design & Construct Competition. The town plan outline drawings for the site were drawn up as part of the architectural competition, with finalisations to the plans carried out to bring them in line with construction design requirements.

The energy-saving methods of the housing development are passive, including the use of apartment orientation, facade openings and shelter-giving balcony-conservatory zones. The shape and width of the rooms maximise their convertibility, enabling the apartments to be easily modified via refurnishing to suit the different needs of the occupant.

The semi-detached houses of the Niittyleinikki development were completed in 2003. The buildings’ facades consist of prefabricated wooden elements. The south faces, boldly outlined with wood mouldings, are reminiscent of the air-circulation windows of the original facade design. Entrance to the buildings is via their two-storey high conservatories which open onto the living rooms and balconies.

The Ahomansikka development was completed in 2004. At the competition stage the houses were modelled as terraced houses. However, in order to meet the customer’s requirements for smaller apartments the design was modified to a maisonette solution with balcony entrances to the flats. Full-sized terraced houses were, however, left at the ends of the buildings. The maisonette solution entailed considerable alteration to the appearance of the buildings, as large balconies were required to provide access to the first floor flats. The balconies, fitted with spoke railings and tall sliding windows, provide a perfect accompaniment to the architecture of the buildings.

Situated along the edge of the greenbelt bordering the Ahomansikka yard areas are the sauna buildings, equipped with both wood and electric sauna heaters.