In 1998, Hall built the Kyasma building in Helsinki, a museum of contemporary art. Now his task was to create a residential building for the Taiwallahti district, on the shores of the bay of the same name. His rivals in the final of the competition were Dominique Perrault, the Dutch architect Joe Coenen, and the Italian workshop Cino Zucchi Architetti.
The Meander Hall project was selected by the jury for its elegant formal solution and for its original approach to residential architecture as a type.
Around the construction site of the future complex are the Taivallahti Barracks historical ensemble, two apartment buildings and an office building. Thus, "Meander" will be built inside the quarter. Its height gradually grows from two floors to seven as it approaches the sea, without overwhelming the nearby architectural monument. At the same time, Hall designed the building plan in such a way that all 49 apartments offer panoramic views of the sea or Hesperia Park.
The 180 m long structure is inscribed in a rectangular courtyard formed by the surrounding buildings. It is curved in plan, and small gardens will be arranged in its curves. The load-bearing walls are transverse concrete walls, and the facade walls will be completely transparent, made of transverse strips of glass panels, most of which can be opened like ordinary windows. The used glass can change the degree of transparency depending on weather conditions and time of day. In the evenings, the house will sparkle like an ice sculpture.
The area of apartments in a residential complex varies from 62 to 222 sq. m, all have their own saunas and balconies. There will also be a rooftop sauna with sea views and a full-length jogging track.
