Helsinki-based studio Avarrus Architects is helping bricks to make a comeback. Helsingin Muurarimestari is a Finnish showcase of brick-based construction.
”Inspired by Helsinki’s architectural heritage, our goal was to build something that could stand for at least a hundred years, much like the historic brick buildings that continue to grace our city,” says founding partner Pauli Siponen of Avarrus Architects. ”Modern materials and construction methods have certainly brought efficiency and lower costs, but they often come at the expense of durability and repairability.”
Founding partners Pauli Siponen and Niilo Ikonen had a common vision when they created housing that would last for generations and set new standards in sustainability and resilience.
With the advent of concrete-dominated modernism and standardized homebuilding, bricks – once the staple of house construction – gave way to prefabricated elements in the late 20th century, largely because they were cheaper and faster to work with.
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Since the late 1950s, the Finnish building industry has mainly used insulated precast elements. While this innovation has accelerated construction and reduced costs, it has also resulted in structures that are more susceptible to moisture damage and more challenging to maintain. In contrast, brick buildings from the early 1900s have demonstrated low maintenance needs and remarkable energy efficiency, as a solid brick structure stores heat in the summer and retains cold in the winter. The solid brick walls of Helsingin Muurarimestari are 60 to 75 cm thick, just as they were a hundred years ago.
”Helsingin Muurarimestari is more than just a building; it is a statement. We are proving that traditional masonry can meet modern standards of sustainability and energy efficiency. This project is about preserving the craftsmanship of the past while embracing the environmental responsibilities of the present.” Niilo Ikonen adds.
The building’s distinct bricks were manufactured by a 60-year-old Finnish family-run atelier Tiileri. Every one of the 300,000 bricks was laid by hand. “Many of the houses built since the 1960s, using precast insulated elements, have been torn down due to moisture damage and extensive repair costs, whereas brick houses built more than a century ago still stand,” says Aaltonen.
Each of the 29 apartments has been carefully designed to consider natural ventilation, with every unit opening in at least two directions to facilitate better airflow. The building’s design not only respects historical methods but also incorporates sustainable features. Natural ventilation reduces the need for mechanical systems, thus lowering energy consumption and promoting a healthier indoor climate. Additionally, the use of breathable materials and the avoidance of plastic or glue in kitchens and cabinets ensure both healthier living spaces and greater longevity of the construction.
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Avarrus and Kestävät Kodit Ltd. invite architecture enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the media to explore Helsingin Muurarimestari and witness the blend of traditional building methods and modern innovation. This project marks a significant step forward in the sustainable architecture movement, offering a new perspective on how we can honor the past while building for the future.
Using bricks is also a stylistic statement, lending buildings a more bespoke look that, in this case, has become an architectural landmark.
Finnish Showcase of Brick-Based Construction, based on text description provided by the architects. Founding partners Pauli Siponen and Niilo Ikonen of Avarrus Architects had a common vision to create housing that would last for generations and set new standards in sustainability and resilience.
All images © Tuomas Uusheimo