Töölö Stage & Oscar Housing presents a contemporary interpretation of a city block and the typology of the 1920s architecture of the district of Töölö. The complex brings the ideals of an urban neighbourhood to the present day. All dimensions of the whole block were completed in 2011, though the first parts were finished already in 2009. Tuomo Siitonen Architects was in charge of the design of the block as a result of an architectural competition held in 2006.

The design of the block is well anchored to its surroundings. One of the significant details is the shape of the building framework in cross-section. The unusual frame profile makes the courtyard to appear more detailed and smaller-scale than it actually is. The amount of sunlight is also maximised. The architecture of the facade creates dynamics by slanting roofs, suspended balconies, and windows paralleled with the roof.

The appearance of the courtyard is based on slanting surfaces, which gives its own interesting detail to the whole development. A vast part of the architectural appearance comes from the contrast between the facades on the street side and the courtyard side. The colours and basic surfaces of the facades on the street side reflect the typical urban architecture of the Töölö district. Some sections of the facade and the window placements reveal the unusual shape of the building profile.

The red-brick rear gables at the courtyard entrances serve as the yard gate framework, revealing the sectional-shape of the building. The building framework narrows towards the top and the entrances surprise and reveal the hidden garden of the courtyard.

Source: ARK 4/2011