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senses was studied (Gryada 2012). The
outcomes of this research found a practical
synthesis in the development of the Aalto Hub
Töölö. The space was opened in September
of 2011, and the use of the space increased
considerably compared to earlier years. The
space was designed to house different types
of use within one space, separating them
visually and aesthetically. This resulted in
individual workspaces for concentrated work,
a group-work table for discussions, as well as
a lounge area located in a 'Hub House': a
cardboard house creating a separate space
inside the 65 sqm space, functioning as an
indoor walk-in pavilion which could be easily
transported for display and use elsewhere
(Ibid.). Over time, Gryada, in collaboration
Img 18: Hub House
Source: V. Gryada, Ever-changing Space
with the Aalto library team and different groups
of students, developed several more Learning
Hubs. They are located inside the libraries
of certain Schools, or in the case of Learning
Hub Sundeck in several leftover spaces in the
School of Engineering. The collaboration with
the library comes in a time where study needs,
as well as study methods change. Books are
used less as digital material is becoming
more common. The recently opened Learning
Hub Greenhouse, located in the library of
the School of Science, the Library had space
available, and under supervision a team
space. To create support for and interest
of students organized the realization of
the in the Learning Hub, the team collected
information from students and staff, and
based on the provided information the
design was made. The Learning Hub
consists of several grouped seats and
meeting spots, as well as more lounge
style seating. Furthermore there is a separate
block inside which 3 meeting spaces are
placed, as well as a large table with ample
seating on top of it. The spaces are to be used
by Aalto's entire Creative Community, as well
as outsiders. The entry is open and informal,
which makes it easy for anyone to enter,
regardless of their familiarity with the building.
During different observations the casual
seating and group working spaces seemed
most popular, unlike the individual desk-style
workspaces, at which was considerably
more space available. This division in use
creates an interesting lead for further research
and development of such informal seating
options, as well as group meeting facilities.
Factories
Other places in Aalto space with casual
meeting possibilities are the ‘Factories’. The
factories are located on the different Aalto
University campuses, matching with the fields
on which the schools have collaborated.
The Design Factory, Media Factory, Health
Factory and Service Factory are set up as
platforms within the University, combining
the expertise of the different schools. As
each factory is set up differently they offer
different facilities to the Aalto community
(Aalto-www 2013a). The service factory,
located at the Töölö campus, focuses mainly
on research projects and coordinating
service-related educational activities. They
invite international speakers, and host
events (Service Factory 2013). The Media
Factory at the Arabia campus, focuses on
media related activities, and in addition
has several studio spaces, housing a Web
Studio, an Electronics Studio, a FabLab, a
variety of AV facilities, as well as a gallery
space and open working space. The space
is accessible from nine in the morning,
and is open for everyone (Media Factory
2013). The Design Factory, located in
Otaniemi, is focused on Design Research
and multidisciplinary collaboration. It is
located in a separate building on the
University campus, making it equally
accessible to everyone. The Design Factory
has a variety of spaces, suitable for different
purposes, such as meeting rooms, lecture
spaces, leisure spaces and work- and
project rooms (Design Factory 2013). There
are a number of solo working desks and
the building is furthermore equipped with
several workshops in which prototypes can
be fabricated. The Design Factory is the
biggest of the factories, both in terms of size
and popularity. It is a well-known space
among students. (single most mentioned
known space in the survey 28) Attachment
1) Further details about the Design Factory
are given in the following case study.
Case Design Facotry
The Design Factory, located in Otaniemi,
serves as an open, experimental platform
where students, researchers and business
practitioners come together and collaborate
generating new insights. The platform is
located in a former industrial building and has
been set up in 2008 as a working environment,
floating between the different disciplines of
Aalto University. The Design Factory consists of
several spaces, which are used day-in day-out
by students, staff of the factory, teachers and
researchers, companies and various visitors.
People come there for various reasons. One
space in the building is dedicated to a group
of students who are involved in the Product
Development Project course. The space is
freely accessible to all, and is part of a larger
hall in which small meeting or discussion
spaces are situated. These are placed inside
and on top of shipping containers, creating a
small space for intimate meetings, separated
from the larger hall. Also in other parts of
the building there are small meeting spaces.
These can be reserved by blocking a timeslot
on the calendar next to the door of the room.
These rooms are themed in order to give the
discussion a boost in case needed. The spaces
are used by student groups, but also for smaller
one-on-one meetings which could not as easily
be held in open spaces such as Kafis. This
kitchen is the heart of the Design Factory, and
is on the crossroads of different parts of the
building. Because of its function and casual
atmosphere it is often visited to take a break,
work individually or casually meet others. The
possibility to use the equipment makes it inviting
to gather at Kafis and cook a meal with friends.
This space is popular, and used intensively.
Other spaces which can be used equally by
all are the hot-desking spaces, one of which
is called 'the Holiday', and is located upstairs.
This particular workspace is equipped with
desks which can be reserved by writing
one's name on the table, together with a
specification of when you will clear the desk
again. Each desk has a lamp and an external
screen which can be wired up to a laptop.
A number of other spaces are equipped with
full workstations. The Design Factory is used
Img 19: Learning Hub Greenhouse
Source: http://www.aaltodesignfactory.fi/design-factory-newswed-tue-6-3-12-3/
46 47
Img 20: The Holiday at Aalto Design Facttory
Source: ADF Flick'r stream