Modern architecture, sustainable construction and versatile teaching spaces in Pakila
Metsola Primary School opened in Pakila, Helsinki, at the beginning of 2023. The modern architecture, sustainable construction solutions, and versatile teaching facilities of the school provide a learning environment for 360 students.
Metsola School opened in Pakila, Helsinki. Featuring modern architecture, sustainable construction and versatile teaching facilities, the school building provides a learning environment for 360 students.
The Metsola School opened in Pakila, Helsinki, at the beginning of 2023. The building is the result of a two-stage competitive negotiation procedure. The evaluation criteria were functional characteristics, urban landscape and architecture, technical characteristics and life cycle sustainability, and lease rate. Particular attention has been paid to energy efficiency and life cycle sustainability.
The school building has a total of 3,600 square metres on two floors. The learning spaces in the building are divided into three activity areas to enable a variety of learning situations. The school was also designed a gym and a dedicated area for arts and crafts. The school was also designed a gym and a dedicated area for arts and crafts.
The differences in height of the schoolyard terrain were used to design different activities and the playground was designed to support movement and play for pupils of different ages.
The long eaves of the wood-clad building and the tall pillars supporting the eaves give the school a distinctive look. The wood cladding is mainly white, and the entrances are accentuated with a natural-coloured varnish finish. The colours of the façade continue from the exterior to the interior, creating a harmonious colour scheme.
The use of wood and sustainable solutions guided the design process, and the project is applying for RTS environmental certification.
