The Stanssi & Svingi Housing block was constructed as a result of an invited competition won by NRT Architects. It is located in the Katajanokka area by Helsinki seashore, next to the Katajanokka terminal. The block reflects both the district’s character and the scale. The housing block was granted the Finnish Enduring Stone House Award in 2007.

In the competition, the town plan defined the main solutions for the block: The courtyard had to be a continuum to the street Kruunuvuorenkatu and it had to stretch through the block. The top floor had to be recessed and enclosed block principle was to be used. Redbrick was defined as the primary facade material. The restrictions of the competition are based on the architecture of the 1980s housing blocks in Katajanokka. The winning entry added vibrancy to the street side brick facade by characterising the recessed top floor facades with bright colours.

The housing block is cut by the pedestrian street Mastokoukku. The top floor canopies and the large canopy form a single entity, which binds the whole block together. The large, steel-structured canopy at the seaside entrance is punched with holes, which creates differing figures when light flows down. The facades on the courtyards are white, which brings lightness to the whole block.

Apartments are given a bright atmosphere by large windows and long views. Bay windows are designed freely especially along the curving Kanavakatu Street. The balconies open up to the sea. In the top floor apartments, the roofs of the living rooms are diagonal. Parking is arranged under the courtyard. The sheltered courtyards behind the sail-like redbrick buildings form an urban oasis with views to the sea and to Uspenski Cathedral.

Source: Finnish Architectural Review 5/2007