Aurinkolahti School
- Helsinki
- 2001
The office and research centre building was built between Kuninkaalanmäki and the rapids of the Keravanjoki, in an area that ranks as the most scenic in the whole of Tikkurila. In the outline plan of the area, the functions and traffic were articulated to preserve an unbroken greensward alongside the river. Laboratories, offices, canteens and recreation facilities are near the river, away from the production facilities. These are in a separate area, where the existing industrial buildings constitute a framework for future expansion.
The old village, with its gardens and open spaces, edges into the industrial zone thus prevents the formation of oversized uniform areas.The building was built in two stages. A staircase divides the building into administrative and laboratory units. The first and second floors accommodate the laboratories and offices. Both floors are divided into two parts, each with three cells, by the passageway running between the laboratories. Each of the cells has two researcher’s rooms and workspace for four laboratory technicians.
The reception rooms for visitors, the conference rooms and the laboratory managers’ offices are on the first; the restrooms, library, computer facilities and offices are on the second floor.
Source: Finnish Architectural Review 1/1986