Architecture on Aalto University's campus
Taken as a whole, Otaniemi is a layered campus. The clarity of Alvar and Elissa Aalto’s modernism, the organic character of Reima and Raili Pietilä, and contemporary architectural solutions together create an environment that evolves with the times yet remains strongly recognisable in its identity.
Undergraduate Centre
Completed in 1964, the Undergraduate Centre designed by Alvar Aalto is the most recognised landmark on the Otaniemi campus. The south side of the Undergraduate Centre houses the architectural masterpiece of the campus, a terraced festival square. The culturally and historically significant, protected building houses 11 medium-sized halls. The foundation was laid in 1962 and the building was completed in 1964. The new wing, designed by Elissa Aalto, was completed in 1975. The building was renovated in 2015 with user diversity in mind, and it received the 2015 Esteetön Suomi (Accessible Finland) award.
Harald Herlin Learning Centre
Otaniemi’s library building was renovated and re-opened in Autumn 2016 as a multi-functional and modern Harald Herlin Learning Centre. The building designed by Alvar and Elissa Aalto, completed in 1969, serves students, the university’s staff, and other users. Dynamic spaces support multi-disciplinary new types of learning, research and work. The building features beautiful features of Alvar and Elissa Aalto's design, such as the fan-like shape of the building and the masterful use of indirect light. Harald Herlin Learning Centre and the Undergraduate Centre form one of Alvar Aalto's (1898–1976) most important architectural building compilations.
Dipoli
Designed by Reima Pietilä and Raili Paatelainen (later Pietilä), Dipoli was completed in 1966 and served as the student house of Helsinki University of Technology for a long time. After that, Dipoli served as a conference centre for several decades. The building is an example of radical architecture. Seven functioning fireplaces and only two identical windows are among Dipoli’s distinctive features. Dipoli was previously renovated in the 1980s and The second renovation of the 11 000-square-metre building was completed in summer 2017. Dipoli can host dinners for up to a thousand people or up to 30 separate events simultaneously. The bedrock and surrounding forest have inspired the sculptural copper and granite facade, which is a Finnish architectural gem.
Väre and shopping Centre A Bloc
Väre is part of a block that also includes the School of Business and the A Bloc shopping centre. The total gross floor area of the complex is 47 500 square metres. A pedestrian route running through the Väre building and its spatial design create a village-like character and generate interesting, practical sequences of spaces. Väre is an A-energy-class building that uses only renewable energy. It is 90% self-sufficient in heating and cooling, with electricity-generating solar panels on the roof. The complex was designed by Verstas Architects, winners of the international Campus 2015 architecture competition held in 2012–2013. The principal designer was Jussi Palva.
School of Business
The building exudes the famous spirit of School of Business and its interior design is inspired by the unique solutions of the building in Töölö. Future residents have been consulted at all stages of the design of the new building: staff, students and alumni. The School of Business building is a part of a larger building block, and it’s two other parts are Väre, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture’s new building, and shopping centre A Bloc. The block was designed by Verstas Architects, consisting of the alumni of Aalto University, which won the international architectural competition held 2012-2013. The main designer is Jussi Palva. Construction of the School of Business building began in 2016 and was completed in December 2018.
Kide
Kide is a research-focused building with facilities especially for the School of Science and the School of Electrical Engineering. The building offers approximately 5 700 m2 of versatile spaces, such as teaching spaces, research laboratories and office spaces, designed to support both teaching and research. The building is designed to offer flexibility to the operations of the university, which enables them to adapt to various needs and future changes. The building was designed by SARC Architects, with Max Hartman as the lead designer. The building interprets the traditional red brick facade in the Otaniemi area in a modern way. The building also utilises various metal surfaces as complementary materials. The Kide building was opened in January 2024.
Marsio
The Marsio building is a significant addition to the Otaniemi campus, bringing modern architecture and new opportunities for the Aalto community. The building serves the Aalto community in various ways, offering modern spaces for students, researchers, and staff. It enables the creation of new forms of collaboration and innovation. The building is named after Aino Marsio-Aalto, who was a creative pioneer, architect, designer, and Aalto University alumna. Marsio was designed by SARC Architects, with Max Hartman as the principal designer. The building interprets the traditional brick facade in a modern way and utilizes metal surfaces as complementary materials. Marsio first opened in September 2024.
Helene Auramo started her career as an entrepreneur at TaiK’s Arabus incubator
The University of Art and Design Helsinki launched the Arabus business incubator in 2007 in Arabianranta. A couple of years later, Arabus merged into the Aalto StartUp Center and moved to Salmisaari.
Customer satisfaction with Aalto University campus premises remains high – ACRE’s overall rating increased and NPS strengthened
ACRE measures its facility tenants’ satisfaction annually through a customer satisfaction survey. Read the latest survey results.
Temporary traffic arrangements on Metallimiehenkuja and Lämpömiehenkuja 2026
Excavation work by HSY in rront of Metallimiehenkuja 2 and 4.