Meander is carried by load bearing perpendicular concrete walls and glazed with horizontally hinged glass panels. The atmosphere of each apartment is characterized by the unique, varying quality of Nordic light. All units open onto the landscape through high windows and private balconies with views to the Baltic Sea horizon or Hesperianpuisto Park. At night, the building glows like an ice sculpture. The building is imbued with the experiential dimension of material and detail. Custom door handles, light fixtures, hand woven wool carpets, and cast dog bowls echo the Meander form.

All wood is locally sourced, including sustainably harvested Finnish spruce for the exterior cladding, balconies, and windows. Sixteen geothermal wells heat and cool the building, with radiant floors throughout the units, minimizing overall lifecycle emissions. All units receive natural light and ventilation. An extensive green roof and solar array provide performance benefits and a sloping scenic footpath. Gardens shaped by the building voids incorporate rainwater collecting systems and diverse plantings, including native wild species.

Among the shared spaces for residents are saunas, yoga studio, wine cellar, common leisure and coworking spaces, and a 12-seat cinema. Art and architecture are synthesized through the work of Finnish visual artist Fanny Tavastila, who created unique pieces for each resident’s home as well as the common living spaces of Meander. Steven Holl Architects achieved international acclaim with the competition-winning design for the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, completed in 1997. Meander marks the studio’s return to Helsinki upon winning the competition for an apartment building in 2006, collaborating first with local Finnish architect Vesa Honkonen and then with Pentti Kareoja from ARK-house Architects.

In 2021, Newil&Bau acquired the development, enhancing the design by adding meticulously crafted yard spaces, curated interiors, and innovative, resident-centric services. Steven Holl Architects x Newil&Bau Meander completed in 2024.