A-Kruunu Turumankatu 

A-Kruunu Turumankatu project is a pilot group rental concept developed by A-Kruunu and Talli Architects. The concept offers an alternative for is an option for the mass production of small apartments based on individual-centered values and takes part in the societal discussion that proclaims community, sharing and a vibrant urban culture. Group rental housing concept is a communal rental housing type: a big apartment designed to accommodate a group of residents consisting mainly of single-person households. 

Members of these groups can already be familiar with each other or be complete strangers. Communal housing interests people of many ages and backgrounds – the connecting factor of the residents is the will to share their own daily lives and living environment with other people. The group rental concept is part of The Re-thinking Urban Housing programme.

The project consists of two four-story residential buildings constructed on two properties along Turumankatu and Pojamankatu in Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki. The buildings have shared communal spaces and are connected by their shared yard. In both of the houses, the material of the façade is red brick. The consistent coloring of building blocks gives the buildings a calm and clear appearance. In the courtyard balconies are cantilevered; on the streetside in Turumankatu balconies are recessed and glazed. In Pojanmankatu apartments are balcony-accessed, which makes it possible for apartments to open to both directions, the courtyard and the park. 

All together these buildings consist of 49 apartments with the average floor area of 65,5 m2. The building on Turumankatu has six apartments suitable for group rental. Each resident has their own room in a group apartment. The kitchen, living room and restrooms are shared by the residents. Residential groups and group apartments can differ in size and shape . The number of square meters per resident remains smaller than in studio apartments, which allows the rent to be more affordable than in single homes comparable to these.