The detailed plan enables the building of new apartments for approximately 850 residents in the area. The detailed plan proposal has been prepared on the basis of the proposal that won the previouscompetition. The winning proposal was Kumpulan Haikaranpesä.
The aim is to build a new kind of residential block in the area of Kätilöopisto Maternity Hospital , offering a variety of high-quality forms of housing and a sense of community. The current hospital building is valuable in terms of the cityscape as well as culturally and historically. The plan solution aims to ensure that the building is preserved and converted mainly for residential use. The plan enables the construction of new residential buildings along Isonniitynkatu at the current parking area and on the plot section adjacent to the park.
New and old side by side in the same block
The new residential buildings will change the cityscape and milieu, especially on the Isonniitynkatu side. Isonniitynkatu will be turned into an urban street lined with residential buildings. Trees will be planted in the street space, and a green square formed at the corner of Sofianlehdonkatu and Isonniitynkatu.
The A section of the old hospital building will be preserved, and different types of apartments and forms of housing are planned for new buildings. New construction is based on extensive flexibility, which means different apartment types and sizes from studios to more spacious family apartments.
Short and long-term accommodation is planned for young adults, students, international exchange students, visiting researchers of educational institutions and lecturers in the B part of the hospital and its wings. The intention is to provide housing for varying needs for a term, a year, a full study period or the beginning of a career. Some of the apartments will be reserved for short-term visitors. In addition, there will be temporary accommodation for summer employees, for example. Extensive and high-quality common areas are planned for the residents.
The block will also have a grocery store and café or restaurant operations.
Sustainable construction and careful repair
The future construction and repair project will comply with Helsinki’s emissions reduction targets also in accordance with the principles of circular economy. The aim is to preserve as much of the old as possible, which will significantly reduce emissions caused by demolition and new construction and save virgin materials. The building parts to be kept will be thoroughly repaired. All existing structures, such as windows and surface materials, will be dismantled down to the load-bearing structures. The building elements to be kept will be subjected to the necessary condition and contaminant surveys.
The detailed plan will proceed to decision-making in spring 2025
The detailed plan proposal for the Kätilöopisto block will be available for comments from 11 November to 11 December 2024 and can be commented on by leaving a reminder in the Register Office. The detailed plan will be completed after the proposal phase. The intention is to present the plan to the Urban Environment Committee in spring 2025.
