SCHOOL AND DAYCARE IN MERI-RASTILA

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Year: 2024 –

Status: Competition. 1st prize. Ongoing.

Program: School, daycare, youth house, sport facilities

Client: City of Helsinki

Area: 11 750 m2

The project deals with the addition of a new layer in to an already existing and well functioning place. A vacant chapel building, as well as a functioning school building, youth house and kindergarten building have either seized to serve their previous functions, or have become too small for future needs. Thus, a new layer is needed for the densification, unification and modification of the site, to cater to new needs and functions, as well as existing ones. As the site is already deeply ingrained in to the spirit of the place, a subtle balance has to be found between what to keep, what to add and how, what to remove and what to modify. An apt strategy must be formed.

The existing school complex and chapel building become a part of a newly formed conglomerate of buildings. In contrast to the white and elaborately shaped flat roofed buildings which exist on the site, the additions are formulated as pragmatic and modular buildings with characteristic roof shapes and eaves. The new buildings are coloured in earthy green tones. The new and the old relate to the surrounding nature through different means, forming a clear distinction between historic layers.

Through these additions, the newly formed totality brings new possibilities and functions to the area, as well as further developing existing ones in a strategic manner.