Completion: 2013

Area: 130 sq.m

 

Think Corner pop-up store moved to a new location

 

For the next two years Think Corner will operate in the Helsinki University’s building Porthania at Yliopistonkatu 3. The new space is smaller than the one in Aleksanterinkatu, it has less seats. The new store is located just next to the new Kaisa library. The building was designed by a well-known Finnish architect Aarne Ervi and completed in 1957.

 

The brief was to imitate/repeat the successful interior look from the first Think Corner in Aleksanterinkatu; recycling combined with new ideas. The main material is OSB-board (Oriented Strand Board). It’s inexpensive and stands out from the usual material choices. White, yellow and green were chosen as the accent colors in the interior. A stage was built from old wooden pallets and the cafeteria desk from old books. The stage and desk was built by the University own carpenter.  The client wished to have the floor to be changed white. Due to the building’s history it was not possible to do so massive changes.

 

Working with experienced cafeteria keeper Unicafé made the design process easier. Unicafé gave specific information about their kitchen equipment and appliances as well as the placement of the service desk. The largest structural changes were the moving of a water point and ventilation was adjusted to larger visitor amount of people. No changes to the suspended ceiling or existing panel walls was aloud so lighting and CCTV was mounted to the stage back wall.