A terrace house, Ambra, has been completed in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki, forming its own urban block at the edge of Saukonpaadenpuisto. The expansive terraces and green roofs rise in tiers in the striking amber-colored building. The terrace house, built by Skanska, was designed by ONE Architects.
The terrace house, which forms an entire block, rises from three to ten stories. Ambra includes 22 terrace apartments, where large outdoor spaces extend the living area and offer a more diverse apartment experience than traditional buildings. The terraces in the apartments are as large as 100 square meters, with parts of them glassed in. In total, there are 126 apartments in As Oy Helsingin Ambra.
The architecture of the Ambra terrace house is based on a design competition organized by the City of Helsinki and Skanska. The proposal "Step by step" by architectural firm B&M, now ONE Architects, won the competition. The significant urban role, sculptural form, the number of stories, and the metallic facade were defined in the plan. The building's facade is made of amber-colored aluminum cladding, inspiring the building’s name, Ambra.
– Ambra combines modern urban living with proximity to nature by the sea. We envisioned a uniquely tiered building, where terraces with green roofs integrate the structure into Saukonpaadenpuisto and the urban environment. Our goal was to create a monolithic, single-material and single-color architectural entity, highlighting the sculptural form of the building, explains lead architect J-P Lehtinen from ONE Architects.
In the central corridor solution, the long sides of the apartments face the facades, making them bright. Auxiliary functions such as bathrooms, walk-in closets, and saunas are located on the corridor side. Due to the rooftop terrace structures, the ceiling height in the apartments is higher than usual, about three meters, which adds spaciousness even to those without terraces. The homes are heated and cooled with geothermal energy.
A Sculptural Landmark in Jätkäsaari
Apartment sizes in Ambra range from 24-square-meter studios to over 100-square-meter two-story homes in the top floors.
– Ambra sets an example of modern, unique, and sustainable urban living. In addition to the innovative terrace apartments and smaller apartments, the building includes urban townhouse-style residences with their own entrances. The project reflects sustainability with its geothermal energy, A energy class, and a Building Information Foundation environmental rating. The expansive tiered terraces and green roofs with sea and city views make Ambra a landmark in Jätkäsaari, says Skanska Homes sales and marketing director Marja Kuosma.
– The privacy of terrace living is protected by green roofs placed between terraces, bringing nature and life to homes with bees and plants, says J-P Lehtinen.
On the ground floor, urban townhouse-style apartments have private entrances from the courtyard. Some third-floor apartments also have private entrances.
Beneath the building is a large parking garage, where every spot includes electric car charging capabilities. On the ground level, near the area’s main street and a planned open square space, are commercial premises.
The lush courtyard deck features playgrounds, recreational areas, and greenery. Shared spaces connected to the courtyard include a sauna, laundry and storage areas, as well as facilities for remote work, clubrooms for hobbies or events, and a larger exercise area.
Further information:
J-P Lehtinen, Lead Architect, ONE Architects
tel. 0400 440 524
j-p.lehtinen@onearchitects.fi
Marja Kuosma, Sales & Marketing Director, Skanska Kodit
tel. 040 844 8630
marja.kuosma@skanska.fi