Postiljooni Daycare Centre

The compact daycare building occupies a prominent location at the intersection of Kollikatu and Lavakatu streets, where the urban block structure meets the rugged rocky terrain.

The design approach has been to align the building with the surrounding streets while preserving the area’s highest natural feature—Kollikallio—as an integral part of the children’s playground.

Above the heavy brick-clad base, the upper volume appears lighter, articulated by a rhythmic pattern of windows and vertical wooden slats.

The common areas are positioned in the street level, while the children’s areas on the first floor open directly onto the play yard.

The ascending roof planes accentuate the building’s corner, where the public entrance sits sheltered.

The recesses are emphasized with coloured glazed bricks and relief masonry.

On the side facing the play yard, the building’s scale becomes more intimate.

A sculptural, expansive canopy protects the children’s entrances and creates a microclimatically favourable outdoor space for play.

The interior material and colour palette aims for a harmonious atmosphere.

In-situ cast concrete walls frame the main staircase connecting the building’s levels.

The timber-clad stair extends into a small stage facing the multipurpose space.

Glass walls open elongated interior sightlines.

Rhythmic windows shape the character of the interior.

Light ash wood and carefully selected colours create a calm backdrop for children’s activities.

Viewed from atop the rocky outcrop, the folded roof surface becomes the building’s fifth façade.

Postiljooni Daycare Centre

Description:

Postiljooni Daycare Centre is located in the new Postipuisto residential district, developed on the site of a former logistics terminal and railway depot area. The compact daycare building occupies a prominent location at the intersection of Kollikatu and Lavakatu, where the urban block structure meets the rugged rocky terrain. The design approach has been to align the building with the surrounding streets while preserving the area’s highest natural feature—Kollikallio—as an integral part of the children’s playground.

The building is terraced into the hillside. The common areas are positioned in the stone-clad base level, enlivening the streetscape with expansive windows. The children’s areas on the first floor open directly onto the play yard.

The street-level façade forms a horizontal stone plinth for the building. Above this heavy base, the upper volume appears lighter, akin to a timber-clad pavilion articulated by a rhythmic pattern of windows and vertical wooden slats. The ascending roof planes accentuate the building’s corner, where the public entrance sits sheltered beneath a recessed canopy. The brick base incorporates recesses emphasized with coloured glazed bricks and sculptural relief masonry.

On the side facing the play yard, the building’s scale becomes more intimate. A sculptural, expansive canopy protects the children’s entrances and creates a microclimatically favourable outdoor space for play. Viewed from atop the rocky outcrop, the folded roof surface becomes the building’s fifth façade.

The interior material and colour palette aims for a harmonious atmosphere. Light ash wood, concrete surfaces, and carefully selected colours create a calm backdrop for children’s activities. In-situ cast concrete walls frame the main staircase connecting the building’s levels. The lower portion of the timber-clad stair extends into a small stage facing the multipurpose space.

Glass walls and doors between rooms create elongated interior sightlines. The entrance area and lobby open toward the play yard with large windows, while the rhythmic windows shape the character of the interior.

Status

Completed in 2025

Location

Postipuisto, Helsinki, Finland

Program

1 350 sqm daycare centre

Client

City of Helsinki

Photos

Niclas Mäkelä