Malta is a pioneering co-housing project located in Helsinki, Finland. Completed in 2013, it is one of the largest and most ambitious co-housing developments in the country, comprising 61 owner-occupied apartments. The project was commissioned and designed collaboratively by its future residents, who sought to create a community-oriented living environment.
The building's exterior features a distinctive facade resembling a game of Tetris, with a regular grid punctuated by red accents and clustered balconies. The interior spaces were tailored to meet the specific needs and wishes of individual residents, while also incorporating extensive shared facilities to foster community interaction.
Malta's communal areas include a shared kitchen, living room, sauna, relaxation area with a fireplace, recreational facilities, and a rooftop greenhouse. These spaces are designed to encourage social interaction and shared activities among residents. The project also emphasizes flexibility, allowing inhabitants to adapt their living spaces to changing needs over time.
The Malta co-housing project represents a significant shift in Finnish housing design, prioritizing community, sustainability, and resident participation in the development process. It serves as a model for future co-housing initiatives, demonstrating how collaborative living can be successfully implemented in an urban context while meeting individual needs and fostering a strong sense of community.