A_Pocket design competition invites Aalto students to develop new ideas for a campus courtyard

With its sunny orientation and white marble facades, the A wing courtyard is a hidden gem of the historical building designed by Alvar Aalto. The A wing was originally built for the Department of Architecture at the former Helsinki University of Technology. The A_Pocket competition is part of the Campus New Generation initiative which seeks to promote fresh perspectives from Aalto University’s talented students to an important role in future campus development.

'Students form the largest and most important user group of Aalto University spaces. Our objective is to include student representation in all campus development projects. In this way we can co-create the campus of the future', says Antti Ahlava, Vice President of Campus Development.

All enrolled Aalto University students are eligible to participate in the competition, and the organizers are hoping for an ambitious and interdisciplinary range of proposals. The competition takes place in two stages: From the 1st stage idea proposals the jury will select finalists, who will continue their designs with the help of mentors in stage 2. The competition will culminate in December with the announcement of the winner. The objective is to continue collaboration with the winning team to realize the project as part of the future campus. The finalists compete for 4 000 euros in prizes, while all submitted projects can earn ECTS credits.

The A_Pocket competition will be launched on Monday 12.9.2017 at 15:00 at the A1 space at the A wing. The organizers and jury members will be discussing the design brief and the competition objectives. Jury members include expert representatives of Aalto University, AYY, ACRE and a leading Nordic design agency.

Competition schedule:
12.9.2017: Launch event at Otakaari 1 X, room A1, 15-17
6.10.2017: 1st stage DL
23.10.2017: Finalists announced, start of 2nd stage
15.12.2017: Winners announced

More information:

aaltocre.fi/apocket (from 12 September 2017 onwards)
https://www.facebook.com/apocketcompetition

Competition secretary:
Heini-Emilia Saari, Project Manager
Campus Development: Joint Strategic Initiatives
Aalto University
heini-emilia.saari@aalto.fi, 050 356 5355