Espoo, Länsi-Tapiola
New Construction, Educational Facility
Scope: 5,948 m²
Architect: Jaakkola Arkkitehdit
Responsible Structural Designer: Patrik Laakso
Structural Design Project Manager: Patrik Laakso
Complexity: Demanding (Class V)
The Jousenkaari School, originally built in 1960, was replaced with a new school building located on the site of the old school’s sports field. The detailed design phase began in late 2019, and the new school building was completed and opened in 2022. Nodetec was responsible for the structural and precast element design.
Key Features of the Project:
- BIM Collaboration: Special attention was paid to coordinating models across different disciplines. In addition to internal reviews within the design team, the client and the main contractor actively coordinated model integration. All parties were committed to the modeling objectives, with continuous and proactive monitoring.
- Structural Design: The building’s frame was constructed entirely of reinforced concrete elements, except for the foundations and certain individual structures. The structure is divided into three sections with movement joints.
- Varied Spaces: The design focused on meeting the diverse requirements of the school’s spaces, which include standard classrooms, social areas, dining and sports facilities, a high central atrium, walkways, a fixed auditorium, and a stage. These spaces required combining different structural solutions, resulting in a functional design for construction, use, and maintenance.
Facade Design:
One of the building’s unique features is its facade, composed of precast concrete elements with various surface treatments. The architect’s combination of colored concrete, patterns, and details presented challenges during the design phase but resulted in an aesthetically outstanding outcome.
