Åbo Akademi University Foundation has commissioned a new building at the heart of Åbo Akademi University’s campus in Turku. The new property will replace the Gadolinia building at Porthaninkatu 3–5. 

Work started in autumn 2022 with the demolition of the old building. The building phase is scheduled to commence by the summer of 2023, with the new building completed at the beginning of 2025. 

Covering 10,200 square metres, the building will be part of the Stjärnan block (kvarteret Stjärnan), which, besides the new building, is home to Åbo Akademi University library’s Book Tower at Tuomiokirkonkatu 2–4, and the School of Business and Economics at Henrikinkatu 7. The name Stjärnan stems from Carl Ludvig Engel’s Turku city plan. 

Main users of the new building will be university services and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, and Law at Åbo Akademi University. The building will bring together mainly Åbo Akademi University staff and students but is also intended to serve as a general meeting place in Old Turku.  

The building that will be demolished is the six storeys high so-called laboratory building. The café in Gadolinia and the terrace outside are to be preserved, in line with the wishes of Turku Museum Centre. The former café will be integrated into the new property and will continue to be used as a café or restaurant in the future. 

The chief architect of the new building is Pekka Mäki at Sigge Arkkitehdit Oy. Sustainability is taken into account throughout the construction process, and the project aspires for a four star RTS environmental certification. This is a Finnish environmental certification system that takes Finnish circumstances into account when addressing environmental issues. Carbon footprint must be minimised during construction, and contractors undertake to comply with carbon-neutral plans. The certificate was developed by the construction information body Rakennustieto. 

The naming competition will take place during 15.2.–15.3.2023

The aim of an open naming competition is to find a name that reflects a modern and international campus. The name of the new building needs to work in Swedish, Finnish and English and be suited to the use of the building. 

The winning name will be chosen by a jury comprising representatives of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, Åbo Akademi University, Åbo Akademi University Student Union and external representatives. Everyone who submits a proposed name and provides their contact details will be entered in a raffle to win a Jopo bicycle.  

The naming competition is open during 15.2.–15.3.2023. Suggest a name for the building via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/E1FtmvquDE.

For more information:

Helena Nylund
Communications Planner, Åbo Akademi University Foundation
Tel.: 0400514136
helena.nylund@stiftelsenabo.fi

Thurid Eriksson
Communications Manager, Åbo Akademi University
Tel.: 0400534430
thurid.eriksson@abo.fi