Helsinki-based Verstas Architects have recently been announced as the winners of a competition to design a new central campus for the Aalto University in Espoo, Finland. The new core of the university will sit alongside the campus's original Main Building and Library designed by Alvar Aalto.
Clad in red brick and printed glass, and using the geometry of Aalto's original buildings as the organizing principle, Verstas Architects' design complements the original buildings on the campus while also defining its own distinct character. This distinctive geometry also allows for the large building to be broken up and adapted to the scale of its surroundings.
Inside, the building is organized according to its function as the central meeting point in the university; the lower floors are dedicated to public spaces and interdisciplinary activities, with spaces getting more intimate and more specialized on the upper floors.
Helena Hyvönen, Dean and chairperson of the competition jury, complimented the design strongly, saying "the jury expects Verstas Architects’ winning entry to set a new standard for future university learning environments, not only in Finland but also within the international arena."
"The winning entry reflects well our values and respects the existing environment while has a clear vision of how the future university looks like", adds President Tuula Teeri from Aalto University.
