Kymenlaakso UAS Workshop by Arkkitehdit NRT
Helsinki firm Arkkitehdit NRT designed these workshop facilities for Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences in Finland.
Top and above: photographer unknown
The workshops are mostly underground, with a glazed pavilion on the ground floor designed to showcase students' work.
More buildings for education on Dezeen »
Photography is by Tuomas Uusheimo apart from where stated.
The information that follows is from the architects:
WORKSHOP KYMENLAAKSO UAS, KOUVOLA
Architect’s short description (by Teemu Tuomi)
Workshop building is a part of Kymenlaakso UAS campus.
The task was to place relatively large workshop spaces at the campus area consisting of old army barracks without disturbing the hierarchy of the built environment.
The building is planned for students studying design and restoration.
Workshops are linked to other university learning spaces so that students can use first classrooms and sketching rooms at old brick barrack and next move to workshops to realize their projects.
The building was placed partly underground in order to maintain free views to and from the old parade square that is the heart of the campus area.
The only part coming up through this ”ground level” is a class pavilion containing an exhibition space and a café.
Above: photographer unknown
The pavilion is meant to act as a big showroom where student work can be lifted up to the ceiling and be shown to everyone arriving to the campus area.
Since most of the spaces were placed partly underground, the natural lighting and colours was important to consider carefully.
The class pavilion works as an enormous skylight giving light to the central parts of the building.
The only facade not facing ground is facing south.
The wall is made of glass and is covered with spectrum coloured metal mesh to protect spaces against over heating.
Also almost all dividing walls inside are made of glass.
Above: photographer unknown
The floors and ceiling are painted light or white colours in order to reflect light as deep in the building as possible.
Above: photographer unknown
Some small exceptional details were also possible to devellope as the subscriber was hoping a tempting and inviting new building.
Above: photographer unknown
For example skylights were transformed to periscopes by adding large mirrors both out and inside of the window.
Above: photographer unknown
At daytime students can have a random view to upper level from workshops.
In the evening a curious passer-by can see a glimpse of the lively work spaces underneath.
See also:
.
 |
 |
 |
| Mondragon University by Hoz Fontan Arquitectos | Casal de la Juventud de Novelda by CrystalZoo |
PKU University of Law by Kokaistudios |