The shared courtyard areas located in the Sörnäistenniemi, Sompasaari, and Verkkosaari neighborhoods meet the needs of the service companies’ shareholder communities and their residents. The appeal of these courtyards, which are available to residents year-round, is actively maintained through landscaping and other measures.
The service companies in the Kalasatama area manage several shared courtyards, which are designed for the companies’ shareholder associations, housing cooperatives, and their residents. These courtyards, which are accessible year-round, promote a sense of community and livability in the area.
“The design of the shared courtyards takes into account their various user groups. Children and families with children use the courtyards the most, but senior residents, for example, are also represented in terms of how the courtyards can be used,” says Joonas Siponen, Property Manager at Retta Isännöinti.
A variety of common areas to suit different needs
There are currently seven communal courtyards in the Sörnäistenniemi area. These are managed and maintained by Kalasataman Palvelu Oy. Residents of these blocks also have the right to use the shared courtyards in other blocks, with the exception of areas designated for daycare use. In addition, there are ten communal courtyards in Sompasaari and Verkkosaari, which are managed by Kalasataman Palvelu 2 Oy.
The courtyards are designed around different themes and for various purposes—some are specifically suited for children’s play, while others are intended for older residents. However, residents are free to use them as they wish, and activities can range from barbecuing to simply hanging out. There are active communities in the area that organize various events and evening get-togethers in the shared courtyards, where locals can spend time and get to know one another.
Kalasatama’s uniqueness reflected in landscape design
The courtyards in the Kalasatama area are unique in terms of landscape design and green space maintenance. Caroline Sarikoski, a gardener at Vuo-Kiinteistöpalvelut Oy explains that, for example, the proximity to the sea and the distinctive architecture have influenced the maintenance of the courtyards and, in some places, made it even more challenging. “Kalasatama’s elegant architecture demands vegetation of an equally high standard. The area features a diverse range of yards and different types of plants,” says Sarikoski.
Landscape maintenance for shared courtyards includes, for example, pruning and caring for trees and plants. Plant selections have been made in accordance with both growing conditions and landscape requirements—the goal is to ensure the best conditions for the plants to thrive while also enhancing their surroundings. Landscape architects have planted flowering trees and fall hydrangeas, for example. Residents can also use planting boxes to grow plants such as herbs and spring flowers in the courtyards, in accordance with shared preferences.
“Kalasatama’s elegant architecture calls for vegetation of an equally high standard.”
—Caroline Sarikoski, gardener at Vuo-Kiinteistöpalvelut Oy
Sarikoski explains that the goal is to bring more color to the courtyards in the future. “Many residents would like to see more flowering plants and colors. A green environment enhances people’s well-being while also increasing the area’s biodiversity.”
The housing projects in the Johanna block in Sompasaari will be completed in the fall of 2023, and construction of the shared courtyard is scheduled to begin no earlier than the fall of 2023. Three new communal courtyards are planned for Verkkosaari in the coming years.