Hosmarinpuisto School and Day Care Centre

Yrjo Suonto

The school is an example of a flexible, multi-use building that combines ecological ideas and construction with local materials. The facility provides education and development programmes for 250 children and is also used extensively by the local community for various activities.
The school and day care main facilities surround the courtyard on two floors. Classrooms, lounges and open workships are connected to each other around the building and orientation is easy, with the yard and rooms on the opposite side always visible. The school and day care centre are straight in connection, as the link space there are libraries, craft rooms and science classrooms for all users. A wooden glass covered bridge links the school to the cafeteria and office spaces providing a shortcut cross the courtyard. Long eaves provide shelter from rain and large canopies give safe space for playing on the sides and corners of the building.

Additional Info:

The courtyard is a common space for all the children to socialise and learn. It is a playing yard, but there is also a garden to take care of, a rainwater well and demonstrations of a solar energy system in use. The children interact with real examples of energy and environmental conservation strategies.
The building, both skeleton and elevations, is built of wood and the concept is based on ecological, so called bioclimatic ideas. The modular construction system provides the basic rhythm for the facades, which are clad with colourful, richly varied wooden boards and plywood cassettes wtih glazing varnish finish.

Elementary School and Day Care Centre: Hosmarinpuisto School and Day Care Centre | Espoo, Finland

Photos:

All images by Yrjo Suonto