head architect marco casagrande of casagrande laboratory has installed a micro-apartment building in a bustling helsinki square. measuring a mere 2.5 x 5 meters with a foot-print of a single car parking space, tikku is assembled out of CLT cross-laminated timber spatial modules and can be erected on-site overnight. it is a safe-house for neo-archaic biourbanism and is a contemporary cave for a modern urban nomad, while offering privacy, safety and comfort. 

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
additional insulation is unnecessary since 20 cm of CLT is sufficient for cold winters
all images © jenni gästgivar / iltalehti

 

 

marco casagrande‘s micro-apartment is self-sufficient: it produces its own energy with solar panels and uses dry toilets. additionally, the CLT used is five times lighter than reinforced concrete and since the structure is erected on regular concrete streets, tikku does not require a foundation. however, a sand-box balances the building. the apartment itself features three levels: a bedroom, a working space and green-house.

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
the apartment has a foot-print of a single car parking space

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
the concrete plaza acts as the apartment’s foundation

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
it offers panoramic views of helsinki’s bustling plaza

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
casagrande transformed the upper level into a greenhouse

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
the small rooms can be used for various functions such as: room, green-house, office, shop, kitchen, dojo, workshop

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
the lounge area of the micro-apartment

casagrande laboratory's micro-apartment measures one parking space
marco casagrande with the tikku house

 

TIKKU
video © casagrande laboratory

 

 

project info:

 

architect: marco casagrande
casagrande laboratory team: nikita wu, taijirou okuda
construction work: woodpolis kuhmo
structural design: timber bros
location: keskuskatu, helsinki finland
site: 2,5 x 5 m (one car parking place)
floor area: 37, 5 sqm
height: 3 floors
materials: cross-laminated timber, glass, sand
organizer: helsinki design week
curator: martina wuoristo-huhta
completed: 2017
in co-operation with: crosslam kuhmo, woodpolis, city of kuhmo, profin, plantagen, sponda, pefc