Huhtasuo School Campus has been the most substantial social sector investment by the city of Jyväskylä in the 21 st century. In addition to spaces for day-care of 160 children and combined lower-level and upper-level comprehensive school (grades 1-9) of 740 pupils, it includes a full-size sports arena with a floor area of over 1100 square meters and seating capacity for 450 spectators. The building was designed by Timo Koljonen (principal architect), Virve Väisänen and Veli-Pekka Ranta from Linja Architects.

The complex is comprised of three inter-linked buildings of different sizes and forms. The largest volume houses the sports arena in the middle, home classes for grades 1-6 on the first floor and grades 7-9 and most of the special classes on the second floor. Day-care centre and special education schools house the two smaller units.

Huhtasuo school was designed before the new national curriculum was implemented, but the new ideas were anticipated in the design. The school is barrier-free and inclusive, and the spaces can be adapted to facilitate diverse additional and evening use. Buildings are full of life also in the evenings when the Huhtasuo residents use the premises.

The complex has stark brick walls towards the centre of Huhtasuo suburb on the west, but more playful and brightly coloured look towards the small forest on the east where also the yards are located. Also, the height of the buildings decreases towards the yard area making the scale of the buildings more friendly. The complex was the first-ever lifecycle project in Jyväskylä. The first phase was completed in 2013 and the second phase in 2015. The main constructor YIT is responsible for the maintenance and lifecycle services of the building until 2033.

Text: Petteri Kummala