New school typology as the heart of a local community

Competition Master Plan

Campus
The design of the campus aims to efficiently maximize facilities and resources. The area will feature a new secondary school, a vocational school and a common restaurant building. Unlike traditional programmes that are housed in specific buildings, the learning spaces are dispersed throughout the campus for all to use. The existing buildings have been inventoried and analysed according to the development needs. Multi-functionality and accessibility are emphasized in the design of existing and new spaces. To avoid building large redundant spaces, all public functions such as the canteen, student support facilities and recreational spaces within the campus are shared by the campus users.

The project strives to enhance the existing communal qualities of the Hiekanpää campus. The campus currently houses many functions including a branch of the university of applied sciences, senior housing, two colleges and a day care. The master plan creates a new route from the heart of the campus to the centre of Pieksämäki, emphasizing the natural beauty of the surroundings. The campus route connects all the campus functions, existing and new. The whole area is designed as a learning environment consisting of activities suitable for all, young and old.

School Interior

School
The Pieksämäki secondary school is located at the heart of the Hiekanpää campus. The new building acts as a catalyst for the area’s development while also adding to the campus’ educational services. The room programme is optimized and makes use of shared structures within the campus area, such as canteen, student support, health facilities and existing sport and recreational spaces.

The typology of the school is based on an open learning environment. A timber shell structure is introduced for maximum flexibility and brings forth a need to rethink existing learning methods and spaces. At the base of the structure, the ground floor consists of workshop spaces for visual arts and crafts. Additional learning spaces are housed on the upper floors beneath the timber dome. Varying degrees of enclosure are introduced within the learning spaces to support different learning conditions and special attention is given to the acoustics of the structure to ensure the best possible quality for learning.