Olla » Works » Learning » Oulunkylä primary school and the new daycare centre

A nature-oriented children’s campus continues the story of the original architecture

Oulunkylä primary school and the new daycare centre

Location: Helsinki
Area: 9000 brm²
Client: Helsingin kaupunki
Completion year: 2025

Oulunkylä primary school was expanded into a children’s campus twice its original size, covering nearly 10,000 square meters. The transformation significantly increased the size of the primary school and added a new daycare centre alongside it. The original school, parts of which date back to the late 1950s, was extended with respect for its heritage: the new structures continue the red-brick architecture and its clear, rhythmic window patterns.

The playful, meandering form of the extension was shaped by the layout of the yard areas: the building bends toward the schoolyard, creating a natural courtyard for the daycare and linking it seamlessly to the surrounding nature. The extension was divided into smaller parts to preserve the main building’s leading role in the evolving campus.

The project was carried out in two phases. The extension was built first, serving partly as temporary space while the main building was being renovated. Since the school remained operational throughout the project, the phasing required extremely careful planning in terms of both construction and the use of the facilities. For instance, the new gym built as part of the extension functioned as a dining hall before the entire complex was completed.

A learning environment co-designed with nature as inspiration

The color palette and material choices of the interior concept reflect the surrounding nature and rocky landscape. The greens of the forest are echoed in the surfaces of fixed furnishings, loose furniture, and details, while the rocky outcrops of the yard continue as concrete flooring, guiding users from communal areas into learning spaces. The overall composition is softened and balanced by warm wood elements.

The cohesive color scheme allows flexibility as spaces and needs evolve: furniture can be moved from one area to another. The furnishing was carried out in close collaboration with the City of Helsinki’s Department of Education and the end users, whose needs and preferences were explored throughout the design process in workshops with both students and teachers. In these workshops, users were able to test furniture and provide feedback on the designs. The selection of loose furniture also included pieces from the city’s existing inventory, supporting Helsinki’s sustainability goals.