From: http://campus2015.aalto.fi/en/

Campus 2015– open international architectural design competition for Otaniemicentral campus of Aalto University

A winner has been declared for the open international architectural design competition Campus 2015, arranged by Aalto University Properties Ltd. The competition jury selected the entry Väre, designed by the Finnish firm Verstas Architects and its team of architects, Väinö Nikkilä, Jussi Palva, Riina Palva and Ilkka Salminen, as the first prize winner. According to the jury, this scheme most successfully solved the challenges and conflicting demands of the competition.

Second prize to Finland, third prize to Spain

Second prize was awarded to the entry 492700 Leap, designed by Esa Ruskeepää Architects Ltd from Finland. The entry had a number of very strong and laudable qualities and it was in close competition with the winner all the way until the end. Third prize was awarded to the entry stay strong sweetie by Luis Martínez Santa-María from Spain.

In addition, the jury decided to purchase three entries and grant six honourable mentions.

Väre is a strong and convincing entry

The aim of the Campus 2015 competition was to design a new core campus for Aalto University in Otaniemi and the competition process was arranged in two phases. The 1st phase attracted 189 entries. Six of these entries were chosen for the second phase, the goal of which was to create a unique solution and a usable learning environment for the new building and its immediate surroundings. The quality of the architecture as well as cost efficiency and ecological sustainability were among the assessment criteria.

The jury describes the winner, Väre, as a strong and convincing entry, which has been developed positively and has managed to answer most of the queries posed by the jury after the results from the first phase of the competition. The layout offers its own structural DNA matrix as the organising principle for the new buildings; it forms this pattern based on two of the principal coordinates taken from the nearby old main building of the former Helsinki University of Technology and the main library, which were designed by Alvar Aalto.

Lue loppuun →

The Otaniemi library at Aalto University will be fully renovated to cater for the demands of a modern learning centre. The versatile library services will get further support from new services and spaces that will support different ways of studying and working. After the renovation, the library will offer a modern and dynamic space, supporting the Aalto University spirit of multidisciplinary learning, research and working methods – a new culture of doing and learning.

The library facilities in the new learning centre will form an integral part of the Aalto University work and service landscape. Studying and learning will be given the chance to step outside the lecture halls, supporting teamwork and unofficial meetings. The international nature of the university community challenges the library to offer spaces that are smart and open to interaction on a 24/7 basis. These spaces offer students and research groups the possibility to work without time zone restrictions.

Design Consultancy Kuudes Kerros has been chosen to lead the service design project, which will engage both staff and key target groups of the future learning centre: students, researchers, Aalto University staff and members of the business community. Different user groups will be used to brainstorm, test them and eventually finalize ideas that could function as new service models in the learning centre. The best ideas will be taken into practice. ”We have learned a lot from the hub experimentation at the Töölö and Otaniemi libraries,” says Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen, Chief Librarian of Aalto University. “We will use that knowledge as we plan a smooth and functional user experience for the learning centre together with Kuudes Kerros.”

”The new Aalto University learning centre is an incredibly interesting service design project and we are proud to be a part of it,” says Strategy Director Jari Danielsson from Design Consultancy Kuudes Kerros. ”I believe that the end result will be a user-friendly, cosy and inspiring environment, which is in line with the Aalto University strategy.”

The concept phase of the project is scheduled to finish by the end of 2013, after which the project will move forward to planning and execution phases. The new learning centre will open for users in 2016.

For more information:

Matti Raatikainen
Customer Services Manager, Aalto University Library
+358 50 373 2233
email: matti.raatikainen@aalto.fi

Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen
Chief Librarian, Aalto University Library
email: eeva-liisa.lehtonen@aalto.fi <eeva-liisa.lehtonen@aalto.fi%20>

Päivi Hietanen
Workplace Manager, Aalto University Library
+358 50 438 4557
email: paivi.hietanen@aalto.fi

Jari Danielsson
Strategy Director, Design Consultancy Kuudes Kerros
+358 40 730 9612
email: jari.danielsson@kuudes.fi