Students to renovate the interior of a department library
25.04.2014
The old department library will convert into a modern work and living room for students when the construction of the latest Learning Hub starts in Otaniemi in summer. The project is related to the development of the university's new Learning Centre and will supplement its services.
The library premises of the Department of Forest Products Technology at the Aalto University School of Chemical Technology will be renovated in accordance with the plan made by students. The spatial design emerged on the Space in Practice course, where the students were asked to carry out a real-life study project. It was commissioned by the Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Aalto University Library.
At the initiation of the study project, the needs and wishes of the space users were carefully examined. As the work went ahead, also the users could participate in the design and evaluate proposals made by the students.
There were 24 space design students and 5 forest products technology students working in groups. The spatial designs drawn up by the groups were submitted to a competition, which was won by the team Nähdään. Its designers are Marijke Davey, Sarah Nilles, Kreetta Airila, Justyna Puchalska and Ninni Pasanen. The proposal will be implemented, and building will commence in summer.
The project differed from the Learning Hub proposals realized earlier at the university in that the design emphasis was on the character of the space to be renovated. One aim of the proposals was to highlight the identity of a building known as Puu2 and that of the Department of Forest Products Technology. The intention is to utilize the library premises also for the presentation of cellulose-based materials.
Already around twenty Learning Hubs
Learning Hubs are user-oriented multipurpose spaces for study, group work and relaxation. There are about twenty Learning Hub spaces at Aalto University's campuses. The goal is to create attractive and inspiring meeting places for learning together experientially.
The development of Learning Hubs is a part of a large project to design and plan a new Learning Centre for Aalto University. The Learning Centre to be opened at the end of 2016 will be constructed in the current Otaniemi Campus Library. The former Helsinki University of Technology's library, which was designed by Alvar Aalto, was completed in 1970.
In the design of the Learning Hubs, students have an important role as reformers of their own learning environments. Experience on Learning Hubs is valuable also in other spatial design for the campuses. That experience shows that even small changes in the appearance of common spaces and in their functionality are significant; often a major overhaul or a completely new building may turn out to be unnecessary.
Picture text: The space design by the students will be implemented at the library of the Department of Forest Products Technology.