Located in Espoo with 720 m2 in size, Matchbox Houses is a residential project of two detached houses that consist of rectangular blocks placed on top of each other. This way makes the houses look like overlapping matchboxes. Started in 2016 and completed in 2019 by Avanto Architect, a warm wood core can be found at the heart of the buildings with smaller, more private spaces inside.
Design
Like overlapping matchboxes, some rectangular blocks of these detached houses are placed on top of each other. The lower floors of the houses are settled in different directions from the upper floors to have the best possible views even to the nearby sea and also both sunny outdoor areas.
Structure
Pines, rocks, and old stone fences are spared to give the houses’ site a temporal perspective. The buildings are also to be rooted in a rocky forest-like setting. The facade of the buildings is designed in brickwork that randomly lives. This brickwork resembles pine bark.
Spaces
An open, glass-covered space is used to join the houses’ floors. In this space, daylight is screened well. A warm wood core is located at the heart of the buildings with smaller, more private spaces inside. There is a self-sufficient ground cooling that used for cooling and the buildings are heated with geothermal heat.
Matchbox Houses Gallery
Photographer: Arsi Ikäheimonen