Postipuiston Puukortteli is a new wooden residential block in the Postipuisto area of Pohjois-Pasila, Helsinki, developed as part of Helsinki’s recent urban housing expansion. The project centres on Kuormakatu 6, a fully timber-structured right-of-occupancy (asumisoikeus) housing development by Asuntosäätiö.1 The complex is described as a closed wooden block with a calm, sheltered courtyard opening towards the south and west, offering residents a quiet inner yard away from street traffic.1
Architecturally, Postipuiston Puukortteli emerged from the Asuntoreformi Helsinki 2020 architecture competition, where the block concept was selected to represent dense but human-scale urban living.2 The Kuormakatu 6 development consists of six-storey residential buildings constructed from prefabricated wood elements, aligning with the city’s emphasis on low-carbon and sustainable construction.14 Asuntosäätiö’s share of the block contains 89 right-of-occupancy homes, ranging from small studios to larger five-room family apartments, designed to serve varied household sizes and life stages.14
The broader Puukortteli block is being built jointly by Asuntosäätiö and the state-owned housing company A-Kruunu Oy, with JVR-Rakenne Oy acting as the turnkey contractor.24 In total, the wooden block will include close to 200 right-of-occupancy and rental apartments, with full completion targeted by the end of 2024.24 Kuormakatu 6’s A and B stairwells were scheduled for completion in late 2023, with continuous application for dwellings.1