Malta is a co-housing owner-occupied development commissioned by its residents. The architect has done a fine job at reconciling the various needs of the residents, their ambitious philosophy of shared living, and a strict budget. All 61 flats were co-designed with the residents catering to their specific wishes.

The exterior resembles a giant game of Tetris. The front façade is a regular grid punctuated by a vertical stripe of red and a cluster of balconies, while the projecting elements in the yard push out boldly from the main volume. The red highlights on the north-east façade accentuate the Tetris effect.

The building’s collective identity is underlined in the co-funded communal kitchen, living room, sauna, relaxation area with fireplace, recreational facilities and the rooftop greenhouse. The flexibly designed interiors allow residents to adapt the space to serve changing needs.

Source: Finnish Architecture Biennial Review 2016 catalogue

Location

Välimerenkatu 13, Helsinki
60.1599167, 24.9187298

Images

Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Harri Pakarinen)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Harri Pakarinen)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Tiia Ettala)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Jussi Tiainen)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Tiia Ettala)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Jussi Tiainen)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Tiia Ettala)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Tiia Ettala)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Jussi Tiainen)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© Jussi Tiainen)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© ARK-house Arkkitehdit Oy)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© ARK-house Arkkitehdit Oy)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© ARK-house Arkkitehdit Oy)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© ARK-house Arkkitehdit Oy)
Malta Housing
Malta Housing (© ARK-house Arkkitehdit Oy)

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