SARK-E5034 - Space in Practice, Lectures, 25.10.2022-9.12.2022

“the youth house of 2037, space for support”
Visions of a near future
As students, we spend most of our time designing: creating interesting spaces and atmospheres. However, sometimes we
need to put things in practice so we can look at the general picture of a project and understand the process behind it.
The course is based on a concrete design project in cooperation with a potential client, in that context you will have to
build a work team (studio), create a proposal, a design concept to sell your idea, developing the project documentation
(architectural or spatial plans, lighting criteria, furniture criteria, material plans, furniture plans with features, furniture).
The goal is to create a complete project folder of a preliminary design. The aim of the course is to get a better idea of
what a spatial design project really is, learn to make smarter design decisions and better understand your profession.
This time there is a possibility of cooperation with NAL Asunnot Oy, this time the “Space in practice” course, will design
a housing complex in Keskiyöntie 29, Helsinki.
In this competition course format, the students will have to propose, a project in which shows how they visualize the
living conditions for the residents living in the 2037. But in this time, they have redesign the interiors of a housing
complex for common residents and for youngsters with special support. The housing complex will hold 2 types of clients
(users); one is the average NAL client and the other is a client which they need heavy social service with very special need
of help. This means that the latter clients are youngsters who have very rough background (custody homes, intoxication
background from a very young age.). Taking in consideration the main users; the proposal will visualize what kind of
future living does these 2 groups of youngsters will have in 15 years .
The project will focus in 3 main areas: analyzing the actual living spaces of the youngsters in the NAL facilities and living
in Finland. Visualizing the way of living of these groups of youngsters in one specific housing complex in 2035 and how it
will be implemented this visualizations into the design.
The proposals have to impact positively in the living conditions of the future residents; the proposal have to: a) enhance
the responsibility and commitment of the inhabitants for their living space, has to increase the level of the participation of
the residents in the community, b) has to promote the well-being of the inhabitants and c) facilitate spaces for the
improvement of the supported group. In addition the proposal always have to highlight the quality of living and has to
have sustainable solutions.
The proposal has to involve the redesign of the existing housing complex, the design of the interiors, design of the layout
of the floors and the complete design of living units between 30 to 47 m2. The proposal should include the common
areas, special areas for rehabilitation of the supported group and exterior areas of the complex. (the information about the
rehabilitation common spaces, staff, etc.. will be given by NAL)
What kind of design strategy would be designing to improve, the living, the sense of home, habits, communication, the
human relations, the aesthetics? In general, the well-being of the inhabitants living in one flat and in the whole housing
complex.
The interior architects students will be invited to participate in a closed competition-based project with the task of
transforming the existing interior spaces into a whole integral solution.
The assignment will be carried out in teams. All project stages will be considered when evaluating the proposal. All entries
should be consistent with the client’s requirements, technically and economically feasible. At the end of the course
(December 2022), a jury will select a winning entry.
Client: NAL Asunnot Oy
Purpose of the Project: Ideas, concepts for the improvement of a housing building.
Team: 3-4 people per group (no individual working) 3-4 teams depending