Year:
2023-2024
Scope:
48m²
Location:
Ratakatu, Helsinki, Finland
Client:
Private
Partners:
Photography: Sameli Rantanen / Asun lehti
This comprehensive renovation project transforms two separate apartmentsin a 1955 residential building into a cohesive family home. The original 87.5 m² residence, designed by the acclaimed Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara, was never intended to accommodate a family, which resulted in spatial and functional limitations. Our design approach sought to resolve these challenges while preserving the integrity of Tapiovaara’s vision.
By integrating an adjacent 48 m² unit, the total floor area expanded to 135.5 m², enabling a clear functional zoning. The newly added wing now serves as a private suite for the parents, comprising a bedroom with a walk-in closet, a dedicated home office, and a generously proportioned bathroom. In addition, the renovation introduced a new entrance hall, improving circulation and creating a clear functional zoning between the original and new spaces. This spatial reconfiguration provides clarity and flexibility to everyday life while maintaining a seamless architectural dialogue between old and new.
The design concept emphasizes continuity and respect for heritage. Original materiality and detailing informed every decision: oak-paneled ceilings, teak joinery, and bespoke carpentry echo the mid-century Nordic aesthetic. Wall surfaces are finished with Dolomite plaster in muted tones, complemented by natural textiles and wool carpets to create a tactile, layered interior. The bathroom introduces a refined material palette of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, and brushed brass fixtures, balancing durability with understated elegance.
Lighting design was approached as an integral architectural element. Indirect LED illumination enhances spatial depth, while custom brass spotlights and selected vintage luminaires provide warmth and character. Every intervention from structural adjustments – to surface treatments – was executed with precision to ensure that the new spaces function as a contemporary family home without compromising the cultural value of the original architecture.
