Keski-Pasila Primary School and Kindergarten

Timangi, Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects' proposal for the Keski-Pasila primary school and kindergarten in Helsinki, received an honorable mention in an invited competition.

In the proposal, the school and kindergarten form a versatile building located in the middle of its community, as a new part of the urban structure. Its robust, reliable look is based on the site-specific context. The building is both protective and open in all directions at the same time.

The architecture of the building is partly based on the use of robust, perceptible materials. Brick, wood, concrete are stable, atmospheric and healthy materials.

The bent brick mass of the building envelops a small, lively society of its own, whose activities are visible in its surroundings all day long. The canopy on the roof yard is the crown of the building, a widely visible architectural theme that clearly speaks to the importance of education.

The functionality of the school and kindergarten is based on a simple spatial solution, where all space groups circulate an open, high middle space. The zoning of the space arrangement supports a continuous learning path and at the same time allows for the creation of learning spaces of convenient size.

Visualization: A3ZO