Pahvitehtaan Aallokas
Year 2022
Location Santalahti, Tampere
Area 9,900 m2, gfa
Client/Developer Pohjola Rakennus Oy
This block in Santalahti, which has been designated as the urban heart of a newly developed neighbourhood, presented an exciting design challenge. An old factory building adds uniqueness to the courtyard, and in addition to the factory milieu, the design also converses with the small-scale detached housing landscape of Pispala.
We aimed to make the building appear as if it were constructed from stacked building blocks, where differently sized and shaped blocks interlock. This allowed us to break up the long street facade and create visual interest in the height of the buildings. Local brick cladding connects the new and existing buildings within the block.
In the design of the diverse range of apartment types, we balanced between favourable directions and the magnificent lake views to the north. The inner courtyard of the densely built block is elevated to the third-floor level, creating a more pleasant scale than one might expect from the street side. Private apartment yards, high-quality materials and details create a cosy atmosphere in the courtyard.
For the upper floors, we narrowed and fragmented the building masses to align with the scale of Pispala, using wood cladding to soften the buildings’ appearance. The robustness associated with old factory construction is seasoned with a rhythmic window pattern suitable for the theme.
A few details, such as framed individual balconies and shared rooftop terrace canopies, contribute to a rugged, vibrant, and balanced whole.
