- Aurum is the new home of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Åbo Akademi University and the Department of Chemistry of the University of Turku.
- In addition to Åbo Akademi’s facilities, the building will contain teaching and laboratory facilities shared by the universities.
- Common laboratories will make collaboration easier and is expected to revive work culture.
Aurum’s common building of 20,000 m² contains teaching and research premises, laboratory facilities, meeting rooms, offices and related auxiliary facilities. In addition, the building will house the Kårkaféerna restaurant, CampusSport gym and Tekniikan akateemiset TEK’s and Tekniska föreningen i Finland TFiF’s regional office TFiF&TEK Lounge, as well as the University Properties of Finland Ltd’s (SYK) office in Western Finland. The moving will take place mainly during the summer.
The move to Aurum will give a further boost to the cooperation between Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku. The possibility to share knowledge in open, common laboratories will make collaboration easier and is expected to revive work culture.
“A new era begins as the Faculty’s activities move from three buildings to one. Shared premises and equipment strengthen active and important cooperation with the University of Turku, and within the Faculty. Aurum is a modern and flexible building that has been awarded an environmental certificate with an excellent grade. It offers our staff a high-quality work environment and supports Åbo Akademi’s sustainability goals. It feels great to welcome students to the new premises, when they can return to the campus gradually,” says Patrik Henelius, Dean of Åbo Akademi University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Responsible construction
According to the building’s main designer Piia Viitanen from Aihio Architects, the designing work was guided by the idea that Aurum’s common lobby would become the meeting place of the campus area. Another important factor is environmental responsibility.
The environment is considered in all design solutions, such as material choices and spatial efficiency. Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the building, and geothermal energy is utilised for heating and cooling. Aurum has also received the BREEAM environmental certificate for the design stage with an Excellent grade as the first university building in Finland.