AOR Architects' Talas Community Centre in Helsinki Draws on Maritime Warehouse Aesthetics
AOR Architects, a Finnish firm, has finalized the construction of Talas, a community centre spanning 1,200 square metres in the Kalasatama district of Helsinki. This facility is envisioned as a 'shared living room' for the burgeoning residential area. It includes a restaurant, sauna, event spaces, and work areas, characterized by a shed-like design featuring glulam columns and cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs topped with a large corrugated metal roof. The façade is predominantly glass, showcasing a double-height atrium and communal areas with views of the waterfront. The timber framework is visible, with black timber corridors and acoustic panels linking various spaces. This project highlights a retreat from urban life, utilizing straightforward materials and steel cladding to safeguard the wooden core. It stands as one of Finland's pioneering community houses built in this manner. Photography by Anders Portman.
Key facts
- AOR Architects completed Talas community centre in Helsinki's Kalasatama district.
- Talas is named after a traditional Finnish coastal shelter.
- The centre is 1,200 square metres and includes a restaurant, sauna, event and work spaces.
- The design was selected through an invited competition.
- The building uses glulam columns and CLT slabs, with a corrugated metal roof.
- The exterior is largely glazed, with a double-height atrium occupying half the footprint.
- Timber panels with triangular cut-outs help control acoustics.
- Bolted connections allow timber components to be easily replaced or repurposed.
Entities
Artists
- Arto Ollila
Institutions
- AOR Architects
- Dezeen
- Verstas Architects
- JKMM Architects
- Museum of Architecture and Design Helsinki
Locations
- Helsinki
- Finland
- Kalasatama
Sources
- Dezeen —