A Bloc shopping centre

A Bloc connects the new Aalto University buildings and the campus square to the main entrance of the Aalto metro station.

The new restaurants, cafes, shops and other amenities by the underground station make A Bloc a meeting point of the whole area.

Entrance to the Aalto University underground station is integrated in the shopping centre.

The gym in A bloc has extensive views both to the shopping centre as well as to outdoors.

The display windows and entrances of the shopping centre frame the new square in the campus.

A Bloc shopping centre

Description:

A Bloc is a new shopping centre situated in the heart of the Aalto University Otaniemi campus. The new restaurants, cafes, shops and other services transform Otaniemi’s amenity offering, making A Bloc a natural meeting point for the whole area.

Amenities in the new centre include a variety of restaurants and cafes, two grocery stores and several other shops as well as a large fitness centre overlooking the new campus square and Alvar Aalto’s iconic main building.

A Bloc is connected with the Aalto University metro station and is a part of a larger Verstas designed building project including Väre – the main building of the Aalto University School of Arts and Design, and the new building for Aalto University School of Business.

Status:

Open competition, 1st prize, 2013. Completed 2018.

Awards

The Finlandia Prize for Architecture,
Shortlisted, 2020

World Architecture Festival,
Shortlisted, 2019

The International Architecture Award
Awarded project, 2019

European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award
Nominee, 2019

Hurraa! Award – recognition from the City of Espoo
2019

Program:

Shopping centre connected with the Aalto University metro station / 7950m2

Location:

Otaniementie 12, Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland

Client:

ACRE Aalto University Campus & Real Estate