The new Marsio building is a showcase for research, teaching and impact at Aalto University

The name was selected through a contest, and it is a tribute to Aino Marsio-Aalto. The Marsio building provides more space for teaching, research and events as well as for the studio centre. The new name of Otakaari 2A was published in connection with the foundation laying ceremony.
Illustration image on a sunny day as the sun is setting, of Otakaari 2A, the lights in the building are lit and there are blurry images of people walking around. Grass and trees are green.
Marsio building. Illustration image: SARC Architects

The name of the new building to be built on the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi (Otakaari 2A), Marsio, is a tribute to the creative pioneer, architect, designer, entrepreneur and Aalto alumna Aino Marsio-Aalto

'This name pays fair respect to Aino Marsio-Aalto's significance as an important figure in Finnish design and creative industry. The name also makes you think about the meanings within the university's name and emphasises the importance of equality to the university,' says Janne Laine, Vice President, responsible for innovation at Aalto University, who was the chair of the jury. 

Marsio-Aalto's impact on the Otaniemi campus is significant, as her and Alvar Aalto's architect office's proposal won the Otaniemi building plan competition in 1949. Now a building with her name will be built next to the Ainonaukio square, also named after Marsio-Aalto. 

Only your imagination is the limit

The Marsio building offers a place for radical creativity, experimentation and new thinking, just like its role model Aino Marsio-Aalto. Approximately 6 500 gross m2 of state-of-the-art multi-purpose facilities will be built, especially for teaching arts and media, cross-sectoral research, various events and for a new studio centre. 

The Marsio facilities will be equipped with new digital technologies that enable cross-sectoral research and teaching. This will elevate Aalto's events to a new level, both on the campus and virtually. The building provides a window into research, teaching and impact at the university. In addition to facilities serving Aalto University users, there will also be space for catering and event services operators and visitors of the university visitor centre. 

The foundation laying ceremony was shared with the sister building

In spring 2022, Aalto University organised a name competition for the new building. It was open to all and the first of its kind. The university received 215 proposals for the new name. The jury selected the two most suitable proposals, and the president and the communications director made the final decision. The winning proposal was made by Ville Alasalmi and Hanna Salmi.

The name was published at the foundation laying ceremony of the Marsio building and its sister building on 29 September 2022. The construction of two new buildings in the middle of the Otaniemi campus began in February this year. Marsio (Otakaari 2A) and Otakaari 2B should be completed at the end of 2023. 

Otakaari 2B will be a building focusing on research, with facilities especially for the use of the School of Science and the School of Electrical Engineering. The new building will significantly increase the amount of research, teaching and office space for experimental research in applied physics. The name of Otakaari 2B will be announced later.
 
Interview requests 
Noora Stapleton, Senior Communications Specialist
[email protected]
tel. 050 353 1525

More information on the naming competition 
Anastasia McAvennie, Visitor Experience Specialist
[email protected]
tel. 050 476 7595

Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Campus Sustainability Champion 2024 voittajat
Awards and Recognition, Campus Published:

Student-driven projects to become Campus Sustainability Champions

This year, two student-led projects were selected as Campus Sustainability Champions. The awards were presented at the annual ACRE Day on 9 October 2024.
Aalto_University_Squad_students_May-2023_by_Aleksi_Poutanen_4754.jpg
Campus, Studies, University Published:

The HSL card will no longer function as an access token on the Otaniemi campus 15.11.2024

At the Otaniemi campus, the HSL card will no longer be used as an access token starting from November 15, 2024.
Kampuskysely
Campus Published:

Respond to the campus survey, make an impact, and win wellbeing prizes!

The annual campus survey is once again measuring the functionality and comfort of the campus, that is, the campus experience.
Poikkeustilanne-kuvitus
Campus, Incidents, University Published:

Summer and autumn brings changes at Aalto University metro station

Renovations to Aalto University metro station will close the entrances in summer 2024