Aurinkokallio Daycare Centre

The building sits between existing apartment buildings and a verdant forest park as an urban infill.

The street‑level public entry is articulated by a prominent canopy, and the canteen engages the streetscape through a large opening.

Carefully placed on the sloping plot, the entrances leading to children’s areas can be approached via the playground on the first floor.

Access to the second floor is mediated through an exterior gallery overlooking the playground.

The sloping eaves give character to the building while ensuring optimal light conditions for the yard.

The natural colour palette of the façades responds to the character of the neighbouring buildings.

The facades next to entrance areas are clad in wood and framed by protective eaves.

The facades clad in hand laid light brick are enlivened by combining different stacking techniques.

In the lobby areas, the spatial character and timber finishes extend the exterior material palette indoors.

The children’s spaces are light‑filled and adaptable.

The spruce‑green main staircase continues the theme of the adjacent forest path into the interior of the building.

Aurinkokallio Daycare Centre

Description:

Aurinkokallio Daycare Centre is located in Kannelmäki, Helsinki, replacing the old daycare building from the 1970s. The three-storey building is carefully placed on the sloping plot, as an urban infill between existing apartment buildings and a verdant forest park.

The yard of the daycare was designed to be as natural as possible. The aim was to preserve the terrain and trees in the northern part of the plot, where the site borders protected fortification structures.

The sloping roof and low eaves create pleasant natural light conditions for the playground. Light brickwork, enlivened by different types of stacking techniques, complements the wood-clad facades. The natural colour palette of the façades responds to the character of the neighbouring buildings.

The street‑level common areas are accessed by the public entry, articulated by a prominent canopy. The canteen engages the streetscape through a large opening. The first and second floor entrances leading to children’s areas are mediated through an exterior gallery overlooking the playground.

The building has facilities for 210 children. In the interior the spatial character and timber finishes of the common areas extend the exterior material palette. The children’s spaces are light‑filled and adaptable, while the spruce‑green main staircase continues the theme of the adjacent forest path into the interior of the building.

Status

Completed in 2025

Location

Purpuripolku 1, Helsinki, Finland

Program

Daycare centre 2 270 sqm, 14 daycare groups

Client

City of Helsinki

Photographs

Niclas Mäkelä