The building site is located in a tightly knit area in Metsälä, a 1000 inhabitant subdivision in western Oulunkylä. Traditionally comprised of mainly single family homes of wooden construction, the area has seen an increase in semi-detached and terraced houses from the 1970’s onwards – the variety of which is on display around the site.
The placement of four family homes on a narrow piece of land presented a challenge. With careful consideration of the rules and restrictions set by the area’s master plan and the Helsinki City Public Works Department, the houses were positioned in a way that prioritized living spaces and architectural quality. Due to the site’s elevation differences, it was possible to integrate the garages into the basement floors instead of building separate carports, as required by the zoning plan. This approach maximised the available space for green yards and apartments. Sectional studies were used to adapt the newly modified elevations of the building site to the neighbouring properties.
The design of the semi-detached houses strives be simple, beautiful, well-proportioned, sympathetic, intimate, and original, in a way befitting of their context in the urban landscape. The pitched roofs of the houses stretch outwards, origami-like from the middle, articulating the two separate apartments inside and giving each of them a more private view.
The houses are plastered green, with the one closest to the street in a lighter shade than the one at the back. A thorough analysis of the surroundings and numerous studies were conducted to decide on the final colours. In the end, green was chosen for its ability to blend harmoniously with the environment, complementing the nearby red and yellow tones. Depending on the angle of the sun, the subtle tilts of the walls create varying shades of green, adding depth and dynamism to the façade.
