Serpentine House

Serpentine House is a modern residential complex in Helsinki consisting of two four-story buildings with 189 rental apartments arranged along Mäkelänkatu street. The site includes a service building with a daycare center, swimming hall, and shared community spaces.

Architect Yrjö Lindegren completed this residential complex in 1951 as part of Finland's post-war effort to address housing shortages through government-supported construction programs. The project represented a key step in rebuilding the nation's housing stock during reconstruction.

The National Board of Antiquities includes this building in its register of nationally significant built environments, representing mid-20th century Finnish architectural innovation.

The complex is well-served by public transportation and its curved building lines are visible from the adjacent street. Visitors can freely walk around the exterior and observe the architectural design without restrictions.

The serpentine design features curved exterior lines while keeping residential units themselves rectangular, with only staircases and auxiliary spaces following the irregular shapes. This approach creates varied outdoor areas while maximizing usable interior space.

Location: Helsinki

Inception: 1951

Architects: Yrjö Lindegren

Architectural style: modern architecture

Part of: Kottby trädhusområden, Läntinen Käpylä ja Käärmetalo

GPS coordinates: 60.21200,24.94300

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:05