Enter is an IT-college in the town of Sipoo, close to Helsinki. The L-shaped pavilion-like building forms the last corner of an existing school campus.
The urban setting is dominated by two curved yards: a larger one towards the campus garden and a smaller court yard connected to the main road. The two curved glass façades open up the school towards the community. The students and teachers see the community and are seen. The campus garden serves as learning area, featuring a wireless network and green islands. Fruit trees with white flowers celebrate the graduation in the end of may.
The street side facade is broken up in smaller volumes to relate to the scale of the surrounding villas. The warm tone of the wooden surfaces is reminiscent of early 20th century school buildings.
A cast on site concrete stair forms the centre of action in the building. It is topped by a large conical top light. A small mediatheque and a café in the southern wing open up towards the central lobby. The class rooms are reduced in their material palette into industrial IT-workshops.
CREDITS
Furniture and interior designers: K2S Architects Ltd. and Konehuone Oy, Ari Jääskö
Landscape architect: Byman & Ruokonen landscape architects, Eeva Byman and Kari Mikkonen
Structural engineering: Ylimäki & Tinkanen Oy, Risto Kallunki
HVAC-designer: Hepacon Oy, Jukka Lehmussaari
Electrical designer: E-plan Oy, Jorma Kuusela
Contractors:
Main contractor: YIT Construction Ltd.
Glass facades: Normek Oy
Electical contractor: Sähköarina Oy
Heating and water: Putkiset Oy
Ventilation: YIT Kiinteistötekniikka Oy
Landscape contractor: Petokaivin Oy
Supplier – furnishing:
Integrated furniture: Mäkelän puusepänliike Oy
School furniture: Avarte Oy, Isku Oy, Martela Oy, Inno Oy, Vallila Interior Oy
