The Student Center Project is Progressing
History of the Student Center project
In 2011, Teknologföreningen (TF) knew that their current building either needed renovation in the near future or that new facilities for the organization needed to be built. Aalto University Business Students (KY) faced the same issue with its current KY building. TF also wanted to create a central meeting place in Otaniemi for Aalto students. Because KY was going to move to Otaniemi, TF and KY started investigating if their facility updates could be a joint project. After several case-studies, it was determined that the Kemisti block near the metro and center of Otaniemi would be the best location for the organizations’ facilities.
Meanwhile, the Aalto University Student Union (AYY) dreamt that all Aalto people could find their place in the community, encounter one another, and build the Aalto spirit. AYY joined the project in 2016, embarking on their biggest and most concrete step towards this dream. In 2017, AYY, KY and TF developed and approved of common pre-conditions for the project.
The Student Center will be a place where all three organizations can thrive and maintain their own unique identities. It will have convenient services, spaces to chill with friends, and opportunities to encounter new people and ideas. All Aalto people will have a reason to visit the Student Center.
Latest news: Spatial program and architectural selection
This year the project has built on the work done by previous years. Each organization has determined what their own spatial needs are, so the focus this spring has been on the shared common spaces and preparing to begin conceptual design. As a working group, we have prepared a unified spatial program which describes all the spaces in the building. This will work as our starting point for working with the architects.
After an architectural tender, Antti Oiva Arkkitehdit (AOA) was chosen as the architects for the conceptual design and coordination with the city planners. AOA has started designing the Student Center based on the needs and requirements of all three organizations.
Next up: Conceptual design and project plan
Conceptual design will continue throughout the summer so that it satisfies all of our needs. The conceptual design should be completed this fall, along with a target budget, sustainability goals and schedule - collectively known as the project plan. Once each party's decision-making body approves of the project plan, we can begin master planning, which will continue into the following year.
Rasmus Ylinen / KY
Emily Johnson / AYY
Alexander Björklund / TF
Read more news
Tempaus – harnessing community for advocacy work
This autumn, Aalto University Student Union will organise Tempaus after a break of several years. Kaikkien käsien jälki Tempaus (“A Collective Handprint”) takes place on the hundredth anniversary of the engineer with a sturdy beard, a mythical figure that supervises the actions of engineering students. In his article, Juuso Määttä delves into the history of Tempaus.
Government cuts put a stop to the construction of student housing
We are shocked by the recent cuts of the Finnish Government which put student housing and its construction at stake. In its session on spending limits, the Government made significant cuts to the special group investment grants for student housing construction, which makes the commencement of already planned housing projects in the capital region uncertain and complicates the housing situation for students as well as the housing activities of the Aalto University Student Union (AYY).
Changes to deposits in the autumn
There will be changes to the deposit policy. In the future, deposits will not be collected from all tenants, but only in certain situations.