Flexiblock

Building typology for Combined Work and Living The project is a winning proposal offering versatile ways to integrate work and housing in an apartment building in Malminkartano, Helsinki. Typically, working spaces in apartments seldom allow adjustments, ranging from integration to complete disconnection from the rest of the apartment. Our concept provides an entirely new framework for this integration. Building Type The project connects to the history of Malminkartano, where the intermingling of production spaces and housing has been a key principle of urban planning. The interplay between flexible and residential floors forms a new interpretation of the central corridor building type used by Le Corbusier in the 1950s in Unité d’Habitation. The Flexible Floor The circulation spaces are more public than in conventional apartment buildings. The private living area is situated on a separate floor, ensuring both privacy in the residential space and autonomy and tranquility in the workspace. The flexible floor is multi-purpose, accommodating various uses from an atelier to an office-like workspace. It allows adjusting private and shared areas, enabling external use within a home. The design supports multigenerational living, short-term guests, or a separate residence/workspace for financial flexibility. The building’s structural dimensions provide a foundation for diverse floor plan layouts. Architecture The building type can adapt to various conditions, from larger to smaller units, structuring the facades with rhythm and proportion. The result is both systematic and diverse. The glazed balconies create a continuum of the interior space, protected from the snow and rain of the Nordic seasons. The distinct character of the buildings honors the experimental housing projects of the 1980s in Malminkartano by acclaimed architects such as Ralph Erskine and Reima and Raili Pietilä. Shared Spaces The shared spaces are organized into larger units to accommodate versatile functions. Their interiors are designed for disassembly, ensuring flexibility throughout the building’s lifecycle.