Harjunkulma Housing Block

Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Asko Takala

Harjunkulma Housing Block

Kirsti Sivén & Asko Takala Arkkitehdit

AREA
23000 M²

ARCHITECTS
Kirsti Sivén & Asko Takala Arkkitehdit

YEAR
2014

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tuomas Uusheimo, Asko Takala, Sampo Sikiö

CONTRACTOR
1st.-2nd. Phase Ncc, 3rd. Skanska, 4th.-6th. 

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS
Tuula Nurmi, Emma Kämäräinen, Maija Korkeela, Tatu Pärssinen, Ralf Åkerblom,
Heidi Turunen, Milja Nykänen, Henna Manninen, Gerrie Bekhuis

PROJECT ARCHITECTS
Riku Rönkä, Ilpo Muraja, Alex Torres

HPAC/HVAC
Lvi-insinööritoimisto Koski-konsultit Oy

STRUCTURE
Vahanen Oy

ELECTRIC
Sähkösuunnittelu J. Nenonen Oy

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Kirsti Sivén, Asko Takala

ELECTRICAL
Sähkösuunnittelu J. Nenonen Oy

CATEGORY
Housing

LOCATION
Jyväskylä, Finland

Text description provided by architect.

The town plan for the Harjunkulma housing block was originally based on a design by Peter Zumthor. The idea was to create a monolithic glass block enclosing a vast courtyard.

Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo
Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo

Our office was invited to design the block in 2004, when the town plan had not yet been ratified. The feasibility testing and detailed outlining of the plan were carried out concurrently with the schematic design of the buildings.

The first building of the block was not completed until 2007, and altogether it took about ten years from our first sketches to get the whole block completed.

Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo
Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo

The challenge of the task was to make the image of a glass edifice meet the functions of living in a city center, the demands of ecological responsibility and the local cost level.

Balconies with tall sliding glass panels cover three sides of the block and provide a buffering zone towards the streets. The walls behind the glass curtain are made of wood.

The fourth side is facing north-east to a street with busy traffic, and the idea of the glass façade had to be applied by different means there.

Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Sampo Sikiö
Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Asko Takala
Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Asko Takala

The courtyard side has a completely different rhythm and appearance created by free-shaped pavilions added to the main body. The concepts and materials of the facades are also different inside the block.

The main parts of the courtyard facades have strip-like patterns resembling birch bark, and the pavilions are clad with sheet metal. This new urban block brings life to the centre of Jyväskylä – a university town – and in the evenings shines like a large lantern.

Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo
Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo

Dwellings are of reasonable sizes, a good part of them facing both towards the street and the courtyard. Ample daylight flows and main spaces continue through the dwelling.

Vast glazed balconies widen the living room outdoors. The dwellings have no luxury but good design for everyday life.

Harjunkulma Housing Block
© Tuomas Uusheimo


Harjunkulma Housing Block
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Harjunkulma Housing Block
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Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
First Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Site Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan
Harjunkulma Housing Block
Floor Plan