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.
Hand-laid brick walls in the interior.
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.
The south-west entrance to A Bloc.

A Bloc shopping centre

Share:

    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.

     

    Related projects:
    Otaniemi central campus
    Aalto University Väre Building
    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

    Office refurbishment by Verstas Architects

    Verstas Architects’ office refurbished to a 1970s storage building by the sea.

    Verstas office
    Read
    Shop windows in the A Bloc shopping centre in the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi

    Shopping centre and Aalto University metro entrance.

    A Bloc shopping centre
    Read
    Campus Prague plan proposal by Verstas Architects

    A proposal for a headquarter blocks in Prague.

    Campus Prague competition
    Read
    EY House in Töölönlahti, Helsinki, by Verstas Architects

    A headquarters among national landmark buildings in the Finnish capital.

    EY House
    Read

    Wooden pavillion on Töölönlahti, Helsinki

    Töölönlahti Aalto Café
    Read

    A showcase of Finnish wood construction in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki.

    Wood City competition
    Read

    New headquarters for OP-Pohjola Group.

    OP headquarters competition
    Read