Tähkäniitynrinne: A Small Apartment Building Where Encounters Create Home

The concept for this community-oriented and ecological small apartment building stemmed from a land allocation competition.

How can modern architecture support community life while meeting the demands of ecology and aesthetics? The unrealized Tähkäniitynrinne project was born from these ideas when a construction contractor invited Partanen & Lamusuo to participate in the land allocation competition organized by the City of Tampere.

The goal of the competition was to design and construct a new building on the Tähkäniitynrinne site. If realized, this small apartment building would have offered residents the opportunity to live in a bright, nature-connected environment. The project reflects values that are essential to Partanen & Lamusuo. The design combines aesthetics, functionality, ecology, and social responsibility.

“We designed a wooden small apartment building for the competition, one that meets the demands of today’s architecture and sustainable development. The two-story building designed for Tähkäniitynrinne is functional and cozy,” say Partanen & Lamusuo.

The site’s shape and building area were carefully considered in the design to ensure that the courtyard would be as functional and pleasant as possible. The small apartment building is a solution that provides enough living space on the site without sacrificing the quality of the courtyard.

Land allocation competitions offer an opportunity to create new types of living environments, but only a few proposals reach the construction phase. Many innovative and high-quality ideas remain unrealized due to factors such as financial and zoning constraints. As competition tightens, many clever, high-quality, and sustainable designs are left waiting for the right time and place to be realized.

Innovative Spatial Solution Opens Up the Landscape

The shape of the building designed by Partanen & Lamusuo is clear, simple, and modern. The architecture features several clever details that make the building unique.

The walls between the balconies and terraces of the single-story apartments are visually interesting and practical elements, containing an ingenious spatial solution: wedge-shaped walls hide individual storage spaces for each apartment, with entrances opening directly onto each apartment’s terrace.

“The wedge-shaped storage areas open up the landscape like an open embrace, and the view invites you to spend time on the balcony or terrace. In Tähkäniitynrinne, the landscape would have opened up to a lake, and in another location, it could reveal a fascinating view of a forest, park, or urban landscape,” describe Partanen & Lamusuo.

Partanen & Lamusuo designed different-sized apartments for the small apartment building. This allows the building to serve people at various stages of life and enhances the diversity of the neighborhood. The apartments were designed so that the spaces are versatile in everyday life and can be adapted. The floor plans can be customized as needed.

Encounters on the Stairs and in the Courtyard

From the terraces of the ground-floor apartments, wide wooden stairs descend directly to the sheltered courtyard area. The stairs serve as an element that promotes community: residents can sit on the steps and chat with their neighbors.

"Encounters with different people are extremely important. In these encounters, a person becomes visible, and their worldview expands," reflect Partanen & Lamusuo.

For the courtyard, Partanen & Lamusuo envisioned a grill pavilion where residents can spend time together, enjoying good food. The activities in the courtyard can be adjusted based on the location and needs of the site.

The community is also supported by the entry hall located near the lower entrance, which can be furnished as a shared living room. The lounge area is enclosed by a plant trellis that protects the entrance, bringing nature into the architecture.

Although the small apartment building was not realized at its original location, its timeless and adaptable design allows the building to be placed in a variety of environments. The building blends beautifully into its surroundings, with high windows opening up to the landscape, creating a sense of light and space, and connecting the interior to the surrounding nature.