YIT started construction work on the first plot of the Circular Economy Block. A total of 70 right-of-occupancy apartments and 84 rental apartments for seniors will be completed in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki. In addition, the block will have service spaces for communal activities, as well as business premises. The building has eight residential floors and an underground garage floor, on top of which a yard deck is implemented. The size of the building is over 11,000 square meters. The estimated completion of the works will take place in the spring of 2028.

The Yrjö and Hanna Foundation acts as the developer in the project, YIT is the turnkey project's contractor, architectural design is carried out by ARK-house Architects and AINS Group is responsible for other design areas. Yrjö and Hanna Foundation's office premises will be located in the block.

"We are really excited about this unique project and happy that construction is finally starting. The block creates a completely new kind of active and participatory urban life, which is needed to achieve a sustainable future," says Petri Kokkonen, CEO of the Yrjö and Hanna Foundation.

"In the Circular Economy Block, encounters between different generations create an environment for sharing experiences and learning new things. Besides circular economy, the starting point for the planning of the block is a sense of community, which will be fostered by common spaces, meeting places, yard areas and recreational spaces designed for the residents. Community is always rooted in the residents themselves and their wishes. The residents will shape the block's activities in line with their preferences. Yrjö and Hanna Foundation is involved in creating a safe and comfortable living environment in the block together with the residents," adds Kokkonen.

A holistic approach to the sustainable construction of the future

The Circular Economy Block is a development project that uses a new kind of construction method and takes into account the circular economy during both construction and use.

"The design, construction and use of the block are based on the principles of the circular economy and low carbon emissions. A long life cycle is planned for the building, and the premises will be adaptable so that they will serve the needs of users also in the future," explains VP Esa Turkka, YIT.

Materials used in construction are renewable, recycled or recyclable or have a lower environmental burden, such as low-carbon concrete.

During the use and maintenance of the building, the circular economy is also taken into account in production, use, and recovery of energy, as well as in water consumption. In the choice of materials, the emissions of materials and the share of recycled raw materials are considered, alongside the recyclability of materials at the end of their life cycle.

"The development of circular economy solutions for facades has been carried out in close collaboration with operators in the sector. One example is the circular economy brick, which reduces the need for new raw materials, saves natural resources and reduces carbon dioxide emissions from brick manufacturing. Heating energy for the building will be generated by a geothermal heat system and some of the electrical energy required by the property will be produced by solar panels located on the roof," notes Turkka.

The project is part of Helsinki's Kehittyvä kerrostalo development program. The project's development themes include circular economy during construction and affordable and repeatable circular economy solutions.

Read more:
The circular economy brick won the Finland Chamber of Commerce's Sustainability Deed of the Year award | YITGroup.com
The Jätkäsaari Circular Economy Block will have a new circular economy brick as facade material | YITGroup.com
YIT has signed an agreement with the Yrjö and Hanna Foundation for the construction of the Jätkäsaari Circular Economy Quarter in Helsinki | YITGroup.com

For more information:
Esa Turkka, VP, Housing Segment, YIT, tel. +358 40 551 5945, esa.turkka@yit.fi
Petri Kokkonen, CEO, Yrjö and Hanna Foundation, tel. +358 40 457 1670, petri.kokkonen@yrjojahanna.fi
Ilkka Murto, Project Development Manager, Yrjö and Hanna Foundation, tel. +358 40 124 4499, ilkka.murto@yrjojahanna.fi

YIT Group Communications, tel. +358 44 743 7536, press@yit.fi

We build and develop sustainable living environments: functional and attractive homes, future-proof public and commercial buildings, infrastructure to support the green transition as well as industrial, production, and energy facilities to support our customers' processes. YIT's vision is to be the expert partner in developing sustainable homes, spaces, and cities - for a good life. There are approximately 4,100 professionals in our team and our revenue in 2024 was EUR 1.8 billion. YIT Corporation's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

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