MASS Lab and Pöyry awarded in 'Asuntoreformi 2020' architecture competition


Pöyry PLC   Press Release 24 April 2019 7:00 EEST

The proposal located in Meri-Rastila, Helsinki, combines nature and communal living in a new way. The prize giving ceremony was held in Helsinki on 18 April 2019.


The 'Kaupunkiluonto' proposal is a symbiosis of nature, people and the city. 

The proposal, completed in cooperation of MASS Lab and Pöyry, was awarded in the City of Helsinki's 'Asuntoreformi - Asuminen 2019' architecture competition with a purchase worth 10.000 euros. According to the jury, the proposal of Pöyry and MASS Lab ambitiously pursues experiential architecture and high quality. 

"Our proposal combines different housing needs, such as rationality and attractiveness, repetition and variety, and community and individuality. The proposal also represents a fresh perspective to shared spaces. The private and public spaces are mixed, which enables natural encounters with neighbors," says Design Manager Kari Syrjö from Pöyry.

"The combination of the team's different experience and expertise was the foundation of a project that merges nature with urban living, interlacing contemporary lifestyles with Finnish tradition. After this intense and fruitful collaboration we can't wait to continue developing more projects with Poyry," says Diogo de Sousa Rocha from MASS Lab.


MASS Lab and Pöyry representatives at the prize giving ceremony.

Aiming for better quality and more diversified housing design 

'Asuntoreformi Helsinki - Asuminen 2020' competition is an open architecture and idea competition, which aims for improving the quality of housing design, renewing the housing design practices and increasing the diversity of housing options. The goal is to acknowledge the impact of societal changes, different lifestyles and family structures, and new building technologies for housing. In Meri-Rastila, the aim was specifically to develop a suburban, close to nature style of living.  

The competition was organised by the City of Helsinki, in cooperation with Aalto University, the Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA).  

Further information:

Liisa Palén-Alopaeus
Department Director, Architecture
Pöyry Finland Oy
liisa.palen-alopaeus@poyry.com 
+358 40 154 4010

Did you know? ÅF Pöyry has diverse architecture expertise, from public buildings to industrial and housing projects. 

About ÅF Pöyry

ÅF Pöyry is an international leader within engineering, design and advisory services. We create solutions to support our customers worldwide to act on sustainability as well as the global trends of urbanisation and digitalisation. We are more than 16,000 devoted experts within the fields of infrastructure, industry and energy operating across the world to create sustainable solutions for the next generation.

Visit our website at www.poyry.com and follow us on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About MASS Lab

MASS lab is a progressive and contemporary design studio engaged in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and comprehensive planning. The Porto based studio was founded in 2014 and currently employs 19 full time staff. The supporting multidisciplinary design team spans seven nationalities and features a fertile mix of professional and educational backgrounds. 

MASS lab is currently working to realize a diverse and exciting portfolio of projects worldwide, especially in Scandinavia, that range from public spaces, buildings and masterplans that have resulted from successful competitions, pre-qualifications and direct commissions. In 2016 MASS lab settled a branch in Copenhagen.

Visit our website at www.masslab.pt and follow us on LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram