Serum is an architecture practice based in Helsinki. The office is focusing on urban planning and housing design.
Serum is an architecture practice based in Helsinki, Finland, focusing on urban planning and housing design. The office is a member of the Association of Finnish Architects’ Offices (ATL).
Analytical research and enthusiastic approach is needed to find the potentials of every design task. For us, it is essential to find the unique solution, which is a part of a greater context - landscape, environment, culture and society.
Serum has been awarded 11 times in open architectural competitions since 2006.
Sibbersborg
author: Serum architects Ltd.status: open competition, 2. prize
year: 2012
location: Söderkulla in Sipoo, Finland
collaborators: Petja Partanen, Tapani Särkkä
Levi Koutalaki
Koutalaki Invited Competition, Levistatus: invited competition, honorary mention
year: 2011
location: Kittilä, Finland
size: 44 000 m2
The new construction adapts the character of the Levi fell landscape, in addition to the outlines and rhythms of the scenic landscape beyond. Compact and clearly-delineated construction protects the surrounding nature from the effects of consumer consumption. By the same token, services are easily accessible. The buildings combine to form a warm and revitalizing Leisure Centre, where the scenery and nature of Lapland is uniquely revealed.
VVO Housing Block
author: Serum architects Ltd.client: VVO
status: commission
location: undisclosed
year: 2011-
size: 10 900 m²
The new housing block is a new reference point in a disjointed, but but lush environment. Combines presence and clarity in the cityscape of a closed perimeter block with flexible plan solutions and good views of an open block type.
Triangle-shaped plan results in small ratio of volume and building envelope. Goal for efficiency is therefore achieved, both in terms of economy and energy consumption. The plan allows large amount of flats for each floor with well light and spacious apartments.
Peltosaari
author: Serum architects Ltd.status: open competition, 2. prize (shared)
year: 2011
size: 109 500m2 (renewal) + 112 000 m2 (new)
location: Riihimäki, Finland
collaborators: Petja Partanen
Suunnitelman lähtökohtana on vuokratalovaltaisen ja sosiaalisten ongelmien vaivaaman lähiön tervehdyttäminen monipuoliseksi, viihtyisäksi ja kestävän kehityksen mukaiseksi kaupunkiympäristöksi. Peltosaari kytketään suunnitelmassa entistä tiukemmin osaksi Riihimäen kaupunkirakennetta samalla kun välitön rautatieyhteys liittää alueen osaksi metropolialuetta. Uusi, urbaanista ja ekologisesta elämänmuodosta kiinnostunut asukasryhmä monipuolistaa alueen sosiaalista kirjoa.Uudisrakentaminen painottuu omistusasumiseen.
Suunnitelman tavoitteena on luoda alueesta viihtyisä ja ympäristöystävällinen alue, jolla on positiivinen imago. Peltosaaren keskeinen vetovoimatekijä on energiatehokkuus. Alueen energiatase on positiivinen: vuositasolla energiaa tuotetaan enemmän kuin kulutetaan.
Ehdotus ei pyri rakentamaan ideaalista, valmista kaupunkia, vaan tarjoamaan kehikon alueen orgaaniselle kehitykselle ja suuntaamaan sitä ympäristöystävälliseen ja inhimilliseen suuntaan. Tavoitteisiin pääsemiseksi kannustetaan yksityisiä investointeja energiantuotantoon, velvoitetaan rakentajia ylittämään rakennuslain määräykset ja tarjotaan tähän taloudellisia kannustimia. Lisäksi kaupungin tukemilla sosiaalisilla toiminnoilla on suuri merkitys, ja niille annetaan suunnitelmassa näkyvä rooli kaupunkikuvassa.
Vaasa Housing Block
status: Winning entry "Compass" in a site-allocation competition with Lassila Hirvilammi Architectsclient: PEAB Seicon
location: Vaasa, Finland
year: 2008-12
size: 14 100 m²
status: under construction
Situated in the old army area south of the city centre, Serum and Lassila Hirvilammi Architects collaborative proposal won a site allocation competition in 2008. Curved shape of the new block retains the park-like quality of the plot surrounded by regular blocks. Terraced volume creates a tension between high and low scale of the block, which is emphasized by the sloping site. Adjacently views from the flats to the sea and amount of sunlight are optimised in the courtyard.
Lappeenranta Simolantie
status: Commissionclient: City of Lappeenranta
location: Lappeenranta
year: 2010
size: 22 800 m²
Quick urban study for an area near the city centre.
En by å leve i, Drammen
status: open international competition, shared 2.rd prizeplanning team: Serum architects ltd. in collaboration with K.Næss Arkitektur / Kathrine Naess
energy consultant: KanEnergi, Oslo/ Elin Enlid
landscape architecture: Lalaland AS / Kyrre Westengen and Iwan Thomson
year: 2010
location: Drammen, Norway
Ylläs Villages
status: open competition, 3.rd prize (shared, no 2.prize)year: 2010
location: Inari, Finland
size: 280 000 m²
Ylläs, or Yllästunturi in Finnish, is a 718-metre high fell and one of the most popular cross country and downhill skiing centres in Lapland, Finland. There are two villages near the fell, one on the north side and the other in the south. So far the villages have preserved their characteristic features, such as the rural scale and density and strong presence of the landscape formed by surrounding fells and lakes.
Our approach focused on vitalizing the the villages by strong addition of new functions and building volume while preserving the ambience of traditional villages. New typologies of attached low-scale building volumes are introduced and carefully adjusted to the existing structure of the built enviroment and landscape.
Europan 10 - Vuores
Europan 10 - Vuoresstatus: open international competition, honorable mention
year: 2010
location: Tampere, Finland
size: 2700 m²
Hiukkavaara
Hiukkavaara Areastatus: open competition, purchased
year: 2009
location: Oulu, Finland
size: 463 000 m²
collaborators: Anna-Kaisa Aalto / landscape architect, Heimo Keskisaari / traffic engineer / Ramboll Finland Ltd.
Lapinaukea
status: commission, ongoinglocation: Rovaniemi, Finland
size: 33 000 m²
Lamminrahka
Lamminrahka Areastatus: open competition, 1.st prize
year: 2009
location: Kangasala, Finland
size: 393 000 m²
collaborators: Anna-Kaisa Aalto / landscape architect, Heimo Keskisaari / traffic engineer / Ramboll Finland Ltd.
Situated between two cities, Tampere and Kangasala, the Lamminrahka area's attraction is the possibility live in a close relationship with nature. Therefore, the program for the area consists of detached and semi-detached housing and a relatively small centre with some public services. How to situate an area of relatively low density into a very delicate natural setting and to maintain the ecosystem? How to connect the area to the existing railway in order to promote public transportation instead of cars? Is there a way to prevent anonymous urban sprawl and create characteristic neighbourhoods instead?
The city structure is adjusted to the landscape, while maintaining the places of significant natural values, such as, the flying squirrel nesting grounds, key biotopes and ridges. The basic idea is to interweave green areas and urban structure in order to enable the continuity of green spaces and people's movement to the area center. This enables the future railroad connection and reduces area's dependency on private cars.
Diversity is reached through variation in the housing typologies and scales. Each neighborhood has a small central square or park. Each of them has unique program, which combines housing, communal facilities and work space.
Energy consumption is minimized through several ways. Self-sufficient heat production within the region will be provided. Favorable micro-climate at the urban areas reduces the heating energy. Low-energy buildings and solar energy will be exploited in the area.
Koivusaari
Koivusaari Ideas Competitionstatus: open competition, 2.nd prize
year: 2009
location: Helsinki, Finland
size: 230 000 m²
collaborators: Anna-Kaisa Aalto / landscape architect, Heimo Keskisaari / traffic engineer
Koivusaari is new city district in Helsinki, which will be built along the new metro line west from the city centre.
Solution seeks balance between the aesthetic and typologigal versatility and integrated urban image. Careful transitions of different scales and materials unifies the area of various housing typologies, offices and services. Diversity, publicity of urban spaces and a good network of pedestrian and bicycle routes are important factors in Koivusaari, which can easily became isolated and exclusive area accelerating territorial segregation.
Design proposes a plan concentrating within 500 meters, a pleasant walking distance, from the metro station. Compact, star-shaped structure opens long sea views from the apartments. Position of the land fills enables sea flows and maintains the intact and lush archipelago atmosphere in the greater lanscape area. Smaller satellite islands and parks protect the inner part from the strong wind and create warm micro climate, which reduces energy consumption and offer comfortable places for outdoor activities also in wintertime.
Fortuna City Block, Turku
Fortuna City Block, Turkustatus: commission
client: City of Turku
location: Centre of Turku
year: 2008
size: 5000 m² (1500m² new, 3500m² renovated)
Fortuna block is situated in the very centre of Turku and consists of buildings from various ages, some of with important historic value.
The task was divided in two parts. The first one was to upgrade the square of the City Hall and study the new construction to complete the block. Second stage included a study for the inner part of the block, where a concept of a boutique area with caféterias, design shops and craftman's studios was introduced.
The new building scale adapts to the higher volumes facing to the street and to the smaller scale of the City Hall's square.
Inside, the idea is to reinforce the existing charm in the courtyards with careful interventions in the existing buildings and minimum new constructions. This way the new heartbeat in the centre of the city stems from the past centuries.
Rovaniemi "Lav"
Rovaniemi Block 33 and 34, "Lav"status: open competition, 3. prize
year: 2008
location: Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi "Eques"
Rovaniemi Block 33 and 34, "Eques"status: open competition, 2. prize
year: 2008
location: Rovaniemi, Finland
Saariselkä
Saariselkä areastatus: open competition, purchase
year: 2008
location: Inari, Finland
size: 300 000 m²
Saariselkä is a tourist centre in Lapland, situated next to significant national park. Future development will require radical increase of new building area within few decades. Round central area placed on a natural dell links the new area next to the old village. A new entrance to Saariselkä is created with a safe access for pedestrians and skiers across the highway. The space enforces the experience of vastness, the touching quality of the landscape in Lapland.
Nurmi-Sorila Area, Tampere
Nurmi-Sorila Area, Tamperestatus: Competition entry
client: City of Tampere
location: Nurmi-Sorila, Tampere
year: 2008
size: 310 000 m²
Europan 9 - Leinelä
Europan 9 - Leineläin co-operation with Anttinen Oiva Architects Ltd
status: Europan competition, runner-up
year: 2008
authors: Antti Lehto, Vesa Oiva, Selina Anttinen
Leinelä is a new housing area situated by the new railway link between Helsinki city centre and the Airport. Competition proposal is a result from investigating how transport and urban design can promote social equity, by exploring the links between city form and sustainability and by understandig the potential of new design of public spaces and housing solutions.
The tower-like volumes with various housing typologies form a landmark of the area, next to the station. Terraced housing masses provide private outdoor spaces ecen in the center of the district. Proposal provides a variety of facilites, commercial spaces and meeting places that promote human relationships.
Hiidensalmi, Lohja
Hiidensalmistatus: open competition, 1.prize, commission 2005-
year: 2005
location: Lohja, Finland
Area consists of c.130 000 sq m, of which most is housing. An old industrial area surrounded by a beatiful lake will be transformed into a new residential area. Urban street following the contours of the terrain connects the two sides of the area, which are divided by a busy road, into a one wholeness. Each block has a connection to the to the urban street and a free access and views to the surrounding green areas.
Tikkurila
Tikkurila Church and Parish Centrestatus: open competition, 3. prize
year: 2007
location: Tikkurila, Finland
New addition connects the old Tikkurila church dating from the 50's and the existing parish centre into a new whole. The addition should create a new highlight in the city centre and admire the excisting, protected church. Idea is to place the new church hall and the chapel are in between the old church and the parish centre.
Solution allows optimal usage of the existing spaces and minimizes the need for new building masses. Tilted roof and lanterns create sacral atmosphere in interior. Form of the roof allows also daylight into the parish centre's offices and connects the addition to the formal language of the old church.
Järvenpää
Järvenpää-Lepola areastatus: open competition, honorary mention
year: 2007
location: Järvenpää, Finland
Area is situated south from the Järvenpää city centre. Excisting rural landscape is partly protected in east, where important cultural centres, Ainola and Halosennimi, are situated. Importance of the landscape to these buildings and their surroundings gave a clear direction for the planning. Impact of the large new housing area for the landscape is minimized. Area is divided to green islands which appear urban from inside and rural from outside. Inner part consists of clearly defined streets. Park areas with different identities connect the building plots to the larger landscape and preserve the atmosphere of the classical finnish rural landscape.
HDW Pavilion
HDW Pavilionstatus: student competition 2004, 1.prize
year: 2005
location: Helsinki,Finland
It took eight months of research, testing and constructing to turn the winning conceptual sketch of the structural system into the finished HDW-pavilion. The building creates an entrance to the site, a small park by the Ateneum Museum in the centre of the city and works as a landmark providing information about the Helsinki Design Week. Reflecting, free-formed glass skin changes its essence at night and turns into a glowing lantern.
The pavilion introduces a new way of using wood and glass together in architecture. The triangular shell structure combines the structural qualities of wood and glass, and takes advantage of contemporary computer controlled manufacturing processes. Design and concept has been created by Antti Lehto, Teemu Seppänen, Markus Wikar and the studio participants at the Helsinki University of Technology.
Office
Serum architects Ltd.
Nilsiänkatu 11-13 F 6
FIN-00510 Helsinki
Finland
info serum.fi
Partners
Sami Heikkinen
mob. +358 50-590 6624
email sami.heikkinen serum.fi
Vesa Humalisto
mob. +358 50-572 1950
email vesa.humalisto serum.fi
Antti Lehto
mob. +358 50-413 4414
email antti.lehto serum.fi