Anu Tahvanainen is planning a neo-loft block, which will be finished in Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki. Courtesy Anu Tahvanainen

Anu Tahvanainen is FCINY’s artist-in-residency in April 2017. Working at Talli Architects in Helsinki, Tahvanainen is currently planning a neo-loft block, which will be finished in Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki in 2019–2020. Apartments in Kruunuvuorenranta will be sold as affordable-priced raw space and are as such ready to move in. Residents have a freedom to decide how they will build the subdivisions and interiors of the space. The concept responds to the current needs of urban living by providing affordable housing and increasing residents’ freedom of choice. The first and yet unique example of this concept was built in Arabianranta, Helsinki in 2009–2011.

Talli Oy / Kruunuvuorenranta neo-loft apartment house, draft plan of the 3rd floor plan. Courtesy Anu Tahvanainen

New York is one of the most dynamic cities in the world and the spectrum of different housing concepts is broad. However, the challenges of the metropolis appear to be quite similar than those in Helsinki. While increasing affordable housing production, the city should remain vibrant, diverse and open for everyone. Consequently a quest for new typologies for living in the city exists.

During her residency in New York, Tahvanainen aims to acquaint herself with both the history of anarchistic apartment production and the trends of today. In 1950s the artists occupied the industrial buildings of SoHo illegally for living and working purposes and gave the initial impetus for loft living, which is considered mainstream today. Tahvanainen asks, where is the anarchy of housing architecture today? Who are the current pioneers and anarchists of city living?

The concept of the neo-block lofts responds to the current needs of urban living by providing affordable housing and increasing residents’ freedom of choice. Talli Oy / Kruunuvuorenranta neo-loft apartment house, draft plan of the design. Court… — The concept of the neo-block lofts responds to the current needs of urban living by providing affordable housing and increasing residents’ freedom of choice. Talli Oy / Kruunuvuorenranta neo-loft apartment house, draft plan of the design. Courtesy Anu Tahvanainen

http://www.fciny.org/residency/antti-karsikas-and-riikka-kuittinen
http://www.fciny.org/residency/juho-manka
http://www.fciny.org/residency/pirjo-sanaksenaho

2017 APRIL

Anu Tahvanainen