University of Turku Main Campus · Finnish Architecture Navigator

Architect: Aarne Ervi
Completion: 1959
Category: Educational buildings
Tags: campus concrete education glass library Modernism square tile university

The University of Turku was the first Finnish speaking university in Finland, founded in the early years of independence and based on the fundraising campaign. The university’s motto “Vapaan kansan lahja vapaa tieteelle” (A Free People’s Gift to Free Science) decorates the principal elevation of the university’s main building on the Yliopistonmäki hill.

The Main Campus’ three buildings by Aarne Ervi are formed around the main square. The buildings’ primary elevation material is ceramic tile. The main building is on the east side of the square, and the main library “Feeniks” is located on the west side of the square. The library’s spacious reading hall opens towards the Turku Cathedral from the window walls. One of the original details of the interiors is the curved stairway from the ground floor to upper floors, typical for Ervi’s interior design.

The monumental “Tiedonportaat” stairs lead to the hill from the Turku Cathedral’s surrounding blocks. Aarne Ervi’s office was along with the Aalto office the most important university designers in post-war Finland.