The first thing one sees when approaching the building is a canyon-like space built with grey brick ? robust and distinguished, yet inviting. As one steps inside the meandering gorge, it transforms into a functional core, a common restaurant space, that is the center of the building and its architectural highlight. The see-through, organically flowing space invites the visitors to wander into the building. Lehtikangas multifunctional building houses a school, a regional library and a kindergarten. The new building replaces a school that previously stood on the site and combines some of the other public functions of the area. Its architecture stems from the interplay between two rational halves divided by a free-form gorge-like opening.

© Ville-Pekka Ikola / alt

Architects: alt Architects
Location: Kajaani, Finland

Lead Architects: Ville-Pekka Ikola, Martti Karsikas

Team: Kalle Vahtera, Antti Karsikas

Area: 13000.0 m2

Project Year: 2017

Photographs: Ville-Pekka Ikola / alt

Construction Management: City of Kajaani / Jari Pietarila, Tommi Karjalainen

Principal Design Collaboration: Arkkitehtitoimisto Karsikas Oy: Martti Karsikas

Structural Engineering: Suunnittelutoimisto Määttä Oy

Hvac And Electrical Engineering: Arkins Suunnittelu Oy: Kari Sarkkinen, Mika Kumpula

Bim Consultants: Tietoa Finland: Marko Rajala, Miika Lemponen

Main Contractor: ...