Renovation of an extraordinary building. Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects
05/12/2017.
Dipoli Student Centre [Espoo] Finland
metalocus, PABLO CUESTA
metalocus, PABLO CUESTA
One of the most relevant 20th century building, designed by designed by Raili and Reima Pietilä, was completed in 1966. This iconic building, the experimental student union building of the students of Helsinki University of Technology has been renovate.
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Photograph of the original scale model: Simo Rista. Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects.
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Exterior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Exterior detail. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Exterior detail. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Exterior detail. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interiorr view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Staircase view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Marc Goodwin
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Sección. Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Sección. Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Renovación del Edificio Principal de la Universidad Aalto por ALA Architects
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Interior view. Renovation of Aalto University Main Building by ALA Architects. Photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo
Dipoli is the main building of Aalto University, located in the university's Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland and the commision to renovate this building was lead by ALA Architects.
The renovation by ALA Architects, has been a careful restoration to recover the original state of this building, example of organic architecture and adaptation to its environment, one of the most beautiful examples of landscape construction through architecture.
The renovation by ALA Architects, has been a careful restoration to recover the original state of this building, example of organic architecture and adaptation to its environment, one of the most beautiful examples of landscape construction through architecture.
Description of project by ALA Architects
Dipoli, the listed iconic and experimental student union building of Helsinki University of Technology designed by Raili and Reima Pietilä and completed in 1966 has gone through a complete renovation and gotten a new life as the main building of Aalto University. The building reopened for fall semester 2017.
Dipoli will function as a meeting place for the university administration, the academic community, the students and other stake holders. All of these parties have been activated in the spatial re-design process that turned the building into a sustainable, flexible workspace of the future. In addition to housing the administration, Dipoli will also continue to function as the prime location for important lecture events and university festivities, as well as act as a display platform for the university’s research and design projects. Dipoli’s restaurants, cafeterias and bar cater for both students and staff members.
Dipoli is Aalto University’s test lab for flexible working methods and mobile work. Two hundred of the university’s administrative employees will use the building as their base. The design team’s aim was to re-radicalize Dipoli by creating a fresh, open and dynamic user experience, not forgetting the original designers’ vision.
The building, located on the edge of the Alvar Aalto designed Otaniemi campus, is the result of an architectural competition organized in 1961, where the Pietiläs’ entry was originally awarded shared 2nd prize and later selected as the winner of the second competition organized between the two 2nd prize winners. The renovation was part of the larger campus reorganization project linked to the former Helsinki University of Technology campus becoming the main campus of Aalto University, born out of the merger of three Helsinki area universities.
Prior to the renovation Dipoli functioned as a conference center for a period of 20 years.
More information
Architects
Original Design.- Raili & Reima Pietilä. Renovation.- ALA Architects
Project team
ALA partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta and Samuli Woolston with Toni Laurila, Pekka Sivula, Simo Nuojua, Lotta Kindberg, Tiina Liisa Juuti, Marlène Oberli-Räihä, Mirja SIllanpää and Sari Vesanen
Collaborators
Workspace (office space concept), Creadesign (service design), Kristo Vesikansa (conservation), Ramboll Finland (building services engineering), Palotekninen insinööritoimisto Markku Kauriala (fire safety), Vahanen Group (structural design), Tuuli Sotamaa (interior design), Helimaki Acoustics (acoustics design), Suurkeittiö-Insinööritoimisto Rita Pulli (kitchen design)
Client
Aalto University Properties
Main contractor
NCC Building
Suppliers
Kiimingin kaluste (fixed furnishings), Suur-Helsingin Kirvestyö (door restoration), Vanalinna Ehitus (window restoration), Idea-Puu (restoration of auditorium chairs), Artisan Rinaldo (restoration of lighting fixtures), OUTrading (lowered ceiling in student cafeteria), Melodrama (stage velours)
Location
Otakaari 24, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Area
12400.0 m²
Dates
Completed, the building re-opened for fall semester 2017
Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Samuli Woolston ALA Architects
ALA Architects. The Helsinki–based firm was founded in 2005 by four partners: Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta and Samuli Woolston after winning the 1st prize in the open international competition for the new theater and concert hall in Kristiansand, Norway. Kilden Performing Arts Centre opened in 2012.
Today, ALA is today run by Grönholm, Nousjoki and Woolston, and in addition to them employs 36 architects, interior designers, students and staff members, representing 12 nationalities.
ALA’s most recent completed projects are the new City Theatre in Lappeenranta, Finland, Aalto University and Keilaniemi metro stations in Espoo, Finland, and the renovation of the Dipoli student union building in Espoo and its repurposing as the main building of Aalto University. Our current projects include the Helsinki Central Library, three more subway stations along the western extension of Helsinki Metro, the renovations of the Finnish Embassies in New Delhi and Cairo, a new hotel in Tampere, Finland, as well as the expansion of Helsinki Airport.
In addition to having designed major public buildings in Finland and abroad, the partners have taught architecture in Finland, and at Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis’ Helsinki International Semester. In 2012 they received the prestigious Finnish State Prize for Architecture.
Today, ALA is today run by Grönholm, Nousjoki and Woolston, and in addition to them employs 36 architects, interior designers, students and staff members, representing 12 nationalities.
ALA’s most recent completed projects are the new City Theatre in Lappeenranta, Finland, Aalto University and Keilaniemi metro stations in Espoo, Finland, and the renovation of the Dipoli student union building in Espoo and its repurposing as the main building of Aalto University. Our current projects include the Helsinki Central Library, three more subway stations along the western extension of Helsinki Metro, the renovations of the Finnish Embassies in New Delhi and Cairo, a new hotel in Tampere, Finland, as well as the expansion of Helsinki Airport.
In addition to having designed major public buildings in Finland and abroad, the partners have taught architecture in Finland, and at Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis’ Helsinki International Semester. In 2012 they received the prestigious Finnish State Prize for Architecture.
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