Kumpula Student Housing with two different facades is also known by the name “Kumpula wedge”. It is designed by Brunow & Maunula Architects and was completed in 2007. Buildings are located next to one of the main traffic routes leading out of Helsinki. The noise from the busy traffic route has affected the design of the two blocks throughout the whole project.

At the time of completing Kumpula wedge differed from preceding student housing projects; instead of apartments with common kitchen and cleaning facilities, the major part of the accommodation is single-room flats. There are also a few apartments for families.

The facade of the street side is glass planked and the illuminated brickwork behind the glass structure emits red tones out to the street at night. The timber-clad courtyard facades are way different from the enclosed appearance of the street side. The courtyard facing French balconies create a solid rhythm to the facade.

The architects had a big challenge in the design of the wooden exterior, because of the fire regulations. The courtyard facing facades clad with vertical boarding made of larch create a calming atmosphere and soften the contrast to the neighbouring wooden houses dating from the late 1940s.

Source: Finnish Architectural Review 2/2008