Sammonlahti Educational Centre

Comprehensive school and child day-care centre in Lappeenranta, Finland

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The Local Authority of Lappeenranta launched an architecture competition in which they proposed the replacement of the existing buildings from the Sammonlahti school site, with a new multifunctional and extended building that includes early childhood education and care, basic education, a library, sports facilities and other educational and cultural activities for the Sammonlahti community.

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The complex, inspired by the Pinwheel consists of 4 wings: a day-care centre, a comprehensive school, a library and a sports hall which are joined by a central space that is “The Core”. Finnish school is a fusion between nature, technology, comfort and versatility. The school’s courtyard is not only a playground but also an outdoor science lab.

The attention was focused on informal learning spaces that facilitate social interaction and all kinds of educational activities. A monumental staircase goes down from the library to the canteen that can also be used for events, having a scene that is connected with a music room. Classes are no longer aligned along a monotonous corridor that serves only as a transition space, and benefits from an open and interactive space, easily supervised by teachers. At the end of the hall, there are creative workshops and laboratories with a view of the natural landscape. The structure of the complex is made of Cross-Laminated Timber which is processed in Lappeenranta.