New Nordic School By The Sea
The headquarters of the mobile game developer Supercell is located in the new and unique Wood City, a massive wooden structure by Anttinen Oiva Architects built right at the entrance to Helsinki’s Jätkäsaari neighborhood. Fyra was given the task by Supercell Oy to design a kindergarten for the same building. The daycare is operated by New Nordic Schools.
Client
Supercell / New Nordic Schools
Location
Helsinki
Area
300 m²
Year
2021
Partners
Anttinen Oiva ArkkitehditPiñata
Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski / Otto Virtanen & Joel Hautecoer
Awards
Frame Awards 2022: Institutions (Shortlisted, Honourable mention)
IFI Design Distinction Awards 2022: Learning (Silver)
Expertise Concept Design
Strategy
The needs of the user group – kindergarteners – were mapped in workshops run by the children’s architecture school Arkki. The point of the design process was to create a functional space that would support children’s development and inspire creativity, security and joy.
To create a homely atmosphere, a large open serving kitchen was built in the shared area. The rest area is designed to be calm and relaxing for nap time, both acoustically and in terms of the feel of the space. The interiors use natural, non-allergenic and genuine hard-wearing materials chosen with kids in mind.
Delivery
The kindergarten is located just off the Baltic Sea, which is why the sea and nature are strong themes that run through the interior design. The organic design language and the abundant use of wood speak both to the building and its surroundings. Wavy and round fish-like shapes soften the space and add to its playfulness.
The animation and illustration studio Piñata created a whole cast of animal characters who adventure around the kindergarten, adding fun little surprises to the space. The wave paintings in the large street-level windows provide protection and privacy from the streets outside.
Team
Niina Sihto
Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts
niina.sihto@fyra.fi
+358 (0)40 508 0332
Anu Latvala
Head of Concepts
Interior Architect
anu.latvala@fyra.fi
+358 (0)41 501 6405
Elisa Ryhänen-Derrett
Interior Architect
Designer
elisa.ryhanen-derrett@fyra.fi
+358 (0)50 539 6900
