Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2015 | Page 39

Photos: Verstas Architects
Photos: Verstas Architects

Aalto the Audacious
Aalto University spearheads the development of Otaniemi
There are big things in store for Aalto University and its environs in Otaniemi, Espoo. First of
all, Aalto University is looking to build a true main campus to fully reflect its reputation as “the
innovation university”. The cornerstone in these plans is the new metrostation – to be launched
in late 2016 – which will push connectivity into a high gear for sure. The metro will spark
up also R&D and corporate activities in the area, as well as residential solutions, says Kari
Kontturi, Managing Director of Aalto University Properties.

“T

he starting point is that the core
campus itself consists of 250,000
square metres, R&D functions and
companies add 200,000 square metres and
housing rounds up the picture with 200,000
square metres. We are, however, looking to
advance on all these fronts,” Kontturi says.
The university is pulling all the stops
to create a world-class campus, with a new
hallmark building leading the way. Having won a tough international architectural
contest, Väre (designed by Finnish agency
Verstas Architects) provides the unique solution the university was looking for all along
– in fact, the winning entry sets a new standard for future university learning environments also within the international arena.

Stay True
Kari Kontturi assesses that the winning entry
and the entire surrounding process have
relied in interaction and true dialogue in an
unprecedented way.
“While zoning issues are sometimes
hard to figure out, we have stayed true to the
original concept and that is exactly what will
be built,” he promises. In fact, preparatory
work has already been started on the site,
making way for real construction which is
scheduled to start in summer 2015.
“If the building were to be finished in
2017, that would be a fine addition to Finland’s centennial celebration,” he adds.
In addition to the new building –
known as Arts Building – there will be a
shopping centre (7,000 sqm), as well, linking with the metro station.

“We feel that Otaniemi is also a great
area to pilot new retail concepts, so there
might be something a little different here,”
Kontturi says.

Red Carpet
Treatment
As new real estate is being raised, the University is letting go of many of its old properties. Currently there are 10,000 square
metres of free space that Aalto is releasing for other use, but the University seeks
to increase that number to 45,000–50,000
sqm by 2021.
“This is no fringe real estate, but properties located very close to the core campus.
We expect that a significant part of the space
will be used by companies,” Kontturi says,
adding that Aalto would very much like to
facilitate a “corporate immigration” to the
neighbourhood. Even though Otaniemi is a
respected brand of the academic/corporate

world, there’s so much more one could still
achieve:
“We have a situation here that provides
the right location, the right people and the
right story,” Kontturi says, referring to the
Otaniemi legacy of doing things together.
“What we can provide is easy and open
interaction that is sure to benefit companies
big and small.”

Living It Up
A key part of this emerging ecosystem is
the residential element. Otaniemi does not
wish to be a “silent satellite” where all life
flees around five o’clock – and therefore up
to 7,500 new residents by the year 2025 are
in the plans for the area.
“This means adding an extra 300,000
square metres of residential construction, a
good part of it right by the sea,” Kontturi
envisions. Around 10 % of the new residential would be student dormitories.

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