In the intensifying sleet storm I continued my way towards my next location. I had never been there or seen it, just read about it in the papers.
This is a former elementary school. Designed by two famous architects it was built way back in 1957 on the outskirts of a new suburb. The suburb itself became a national landmark later on.
Although perhaps not evident by its current state, the building is considered somehwat revolutionary. Its interesting features are sunroofs, which provide light inside, external walls made of light wooden elements and direct access outside from the classrooms.
The school was closed in 2017 because of air quality problems. The city would like to demolish it, but due to its location and architecture this has proven to be difficult.
The school looked pretty well sealed.
As customary to old schools from this era, a house was built for the teachers to live in. This location actually included several of them.
Like I said, the place was well sealed. This city seems to protect its locations before anybody manages to break things.
The headmaster’s parking lot was next to the entrance. Although this could also translate to ‘taken headmaster’.
A wing with classrooms. As you can see, there are direct exits outside from them.
A closer look at the courtyard of the teachers’ apartment building. Another, lower one can be seen behind the bushes.
The only higher part of the school probably houses the school gym.
The shelter has protected pupils from rain. It wasn’t of much help to me.
Another locked entrance. Notice how the locks are on a different height. The one on the right has been moved.
The courtyard of the school. The wooden walls are protecting the entrances to the classrooms.
The hut next to the school wall definitely doesn’t seem to be original. A rather strange feature.
Another corner of the courtyard.
And a view facing the strange hut.
The pupils are now located in a temporary structure seen across the yard.
Somebody or something has chewed the walls next to this entrance.
The pupils have decorated the walls here after the school closed.
Since this date nothing much has happened. In late 2023 the building still stands without a decision on its future.
Really interesting concepts in this school’s architecture. I wonder what caused the air quality problems.
That is a billion dollar question, as most Finnish public buildings suffer from them. One explanation is, that the buildings have originally been evaporationally cooling. In renovations since the 1970’s the buildings have been made air tight and equipped with air conditioning systems. The materials in the building are no longer used the way they were designed to, and this causes the issues.
But nobody knows exactly what is happening. People using the buildings are having severe symptoms, yet all measurements indicate good air quality.