New Student Housing to Jätkäsaari

The winner of the first architectural competition for the Jätkäsaari area has been announced: “Breakfast on the lawn” by Helamaa and Pulkkinen Architects presents a high-quality and workable solution for State-subsidized student housing. The winning entry comprises a variety of housing types, from dormitory rooms to two-bedroom apartments, a total of 208 units. Construction work is scheduled to begin in early 2010. According to the jury, the new student housing complex will lend a strong character to this new city section, which will be built on land recently vacated from commercial harbour operations. The rich and refreshing design of the complex, with sections of varying heights, well fit into the cityscape. The design features a careful combination of materials and colours, a glass wall which creates an image of lightness, and varying types of window systems. Jätkäsaari is part of the Länsisatama (West Harbour) redevelopment project. The area is comprised of more than 200 hectares of land on the southwest waterfront of the city. The competition was organized by the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region (HOAS) and the Helsinki City Planning Department.