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at all times of the day. Community members
using the space often refer to the style of the
interior in a positive way. The Design Factory,
despite its immense popularity and success, is
still rather unique in its stimulating and open
character as a study space. Naming it a study
space does not do the Design Factory justice,
as it is much more than a mere collection
of study- and meeting rooms, showcasing
space and workshops. Although the Design
Factory practically houses those spaces, it
is bustling with creativity, motivation and
enthusiasm coming from its users. They are
what makes the Design Factory to the success
it is today. Taking the interior design, which
is often mentioned as an important factor in
the success of the space, and implementing it
elsewhere on the campus would not guarantee
similar popularity. The flexibility and freedom
users have to alter the space to their liking,
and the low pressure instructions which are
given through short informative texts on the
wall or equipment, are part of the success
formula. The ability of the operators and
creators of the space to allow for spontaneity
and change in the Design Factory are a big
influence in the way the space is perceived,
and to which extent users feel the space is
theirs. An active student community, eager
to excel in their studies, is what is needed to
create the right atmosphere. The aesthetics
are complementary to the satisfaction, and
need to be in balance with, among other
factors, social interaction (Florida, Merlander
et al. 2009) These factors combined create
the success, and would need to be created
elsewhere to achieve similar popularity.
2.4.2 Miscellaneous
spaces
Above mentioned workspaces offer the
possibility to come and work in their
accommodation among students from all
different fields, and even professionals from
outside the Aalto community. The variety in
backgrounds makes for alternative ways
to look at things and tackle problems,
which can be a great benefit and offer
new possibilities. The University, and in
particular those spaces which are aimed
at mixing disciplines, offer the ultimate
opportunity to develop multidisciplinary
skills and understanding about others.
Following are a number of facilities
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existing on the Otaniemi campus which are
focused on facilitating the needs of specific
subgroups within the Aalto Community.
Urban Mill
Another co-working space which is more
focused on a single target group is the
UrbanMill. It is a new concept and is still
under development. UrbanMill is a prototype
co-working space focused on different forms
of urban innovation (Mikkelä 2013). The
driving force behind the activities are Kari
Mikkelä, innovation architect and urban
service engineer, and Lars Miikki, project
manager and consultant. Together they are
building the service, drawing in various
parties, and generating a viable business.
In the months after the opening in January
2013 the space has evolved from an
empty industrial hall into an actively used
workspace. Different events are hosted
at different times, such as the PDP Gala.
The final presentations of the Product
Development Project course of Design
Factory took place in UrbanMill, opening its
doors to all who wished to visit, making a
large crowd familiar with the facilities. Prior
to this Gala, the Urban Mill provided space
for a number of project groups from the PDP
course. The remaining space is used by
numerous small companies or parts of larger
businesses. They have a workplace at their
disposal in return for an investment in the
Urban Mill, both financially and socially.
Startup Sauna
Besides cooperation with Design Factory,
UrbanMill also works together with Startup
Sauna. The buildings of these three
workspaces are located near to each other
around a common courtyard, making it
an ideal situation for active collaboration.
Startup Sauna is an incubator working
under Aalto University. They launch a
program each year to which start-ups from
Northern Europe and Russia can apply.
The Startup Sauna consists of several
semi-separated workspaces where the
companies can work, as well as an open
event space, separated offices, and a
casual space with the kitchen nearby.
The event space is used for their ‘Slush
Conference’, bringing together companies,
start-ups and investors (Startup Sauna
2012). The presence of this kind of facility
on the campus is a great asset in facilitating
a culture of enabling and student activism.
Synergy space
Aalto University also offers space to other
kinds of initiatives, more indirectly focused
on creating synergy between disciplines.
Node Gallery and Aalto Global Impact
radio project are examples of these.
The Node Gallery is located at the art
department in the Arabia campus, and is
set up as a contact zone where community
members can exhibit their work, and others
can come to see it. The gallery aims to
create a platform for innovations and new
working methodologies within the fields of
Art and Education (Node Gallery 2013).
Guild rooms, located in Otaniemi, can
be categorized as synergy spaces. These
are rooms which are accessible only to
the members belonging to that guild. The
spaces are decorated and maintained by
the members, and can be used by them to
relax, study or meet-up with other members.
At present Ulpu Kojo and Eelis Rytkönen,
two doctoral researchers at the Built
Environment Services and Future Learning
Environment research groups, are doing an
excessive research into creating Aalto Guild
rooms. These casual spaces would be open
to all students of the University, and aim
to create more cohesion among students.
2.4.3 Generally
accessible spaces
Besides these specifically organized and
branded spaces, the University campuses
have several computer workrooms and
open study spaces, varying in formality.
At present these facilities are mostly used
by students from the school in which the
space is located. Mixing happens only
sporadically, mostly in situations where
it concerns multidisciplinary groups.
Concluding, there are several spaces
available for studying and working within
the campuses of Aalto University. There
are many options where students, but also
staff members and outsiders, can go to
meet each other. With the future move of
the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
to Otaniemi, and the current unawareness
of students on the possible study spaces,
more such spaces could be created in
the future. The knowledge among the
community ought to be increased in order
to improve the use of the spaces, as well
as the satisfaction about their options.
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