Description

Bellini once again demonstrates his ability to create “urban spaces” full of vitality and freshness: two new buildings with glass facades, of great lightness,contrast with the brick façade of the existing Aalto building which becomes the “background” of the square that becomes the dynamic heart of the university campus.

“A power landmark – Bellini points out – gently redefined the uncertain margins of a growing universitary town and gives it new focus in an open urban square, not square and closed, but triangular and defined by ‘run away’ curved perspectives, sloped to allow the maximum filtering of natural light. It’s bounded by the glass fronts of the new buildings, like two outstretched hands, which seem to welcome the University of Art, Design and Architecture and the Main Library, the buildings of the new University and of the Mall naturally accompany students, professors and all others to the centre of the pedestrian plaza finally conquered as the new public epicentre of Otaniemi Campus.”

– Ermanno Ranzani –