ASA-buildings - Stiftelsenabo

ASA-buildings

Fänriksgatan 3 
Year of construction: 1939–1963 

The ASA-buildings are named after the company ASA Radio. In 1974, when the factory moved, the Åbo Akademi University Foundation purchased the factory complex, which has since been used by the Åbo Akademi University. The ASA-buildings have undergone several reconstructions and renovations, most recently between 2008 and 2010. 

The first buildings on the site were built by the master carriage maker Johan Wilenius, who bought the undeveloped plot at auction in 1855. He built both residential houses and workshop buildings for his carriage making business, according to Per Johan Gylich’s design. The property was sold at auction in 1863 and, after several changes of ownership, it was purchased by the founder and director of ASA Radio, Arvo Sakrelius (1898-1979) in 1939. 

The Construction of the Buildings

ASA Radio constructed a factory complex consisting of three buildings, today known as the A-, B- and C-buildings. Although constructed at different times, the buildings present a unified appearance with their smooth, yellow-painted facades.

The limited company ASA Raido Oy operated in the buildings from 1940 to 1974. The photo was taken between the 1960s and 1970s. Source: Åbo Akademi University Library. 

The ASA-buildings are named after ASA Radio, which in turn is named after its founder Arvo Sakrelius.

  • B-building: The oldest part, built in 1939. 
  • A-building: Constructed gradually during the 1940s and 1950s. 
  • C-building: The newest part, built in 1963. 

On the northern part of the plot, there are two smaller buildings, one of which was built in 1939 as a residence for the ASA Radio director and is now used as a day care centre.

Åbo Akademi University in the ASA-buildings 

When the radio factory moved to Mälikkälä in 1974, the Åbo Akademi University foundation purchased the factory complex. Already in 1975, the conversion of the factory premises to meet the needs of Åbo Akademi University began, under the leadership of building contractor Vilho Lindberg. Factory halls and spaces were converted into offices for teachers and researchers, a library, lecture halls, and seminar rooms. Between 1976 and 2004, spaces in the A-building were used by language subjects, before they moved to Arken. The conversion of the B- and C-buildings began in 1976, and the move-in proceeded gradually from 1976 to 1978 as the spaces were completed.

The main entrance of the ASA-buildings before the latest renovation. The photo was taken in the 1970s or 1980s. Source: Åbo Akademi University Library.
The ASA-buildings after the renovation between 2008 and 2010, with the new entrance with a glass facade facing the courtyard. Image: Helena Nylund, 2024.

Renovations and Present Day 

The building complex was renovated in the early 1990s according to Carl-Johan Berlin’s design. The next major renovation was carried out between 2008 and 2010, planned by Pekka Mäki at Sigge Architects. During this renovation a new large auditorium for over 100 people was added to the ground floor of the A-building. A new entrance area with a glass façade facing the courtyard was built between the A- and B-buildings. The roof and windows were also renewed. 

The ASA-buildings are still used by the Åbo Akademi University. Today they house the ASA Library, ICT Services, the Social Science Research Institute, the Institute for Human Rights, and several subjects belonging to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics and Law.

The ASA-buildings. Image: Helena Nylund, 2024.

Source: Väggarna talar (2017) by Lars Berggren and Annette Landen.