The two linden trees between the shopping centre A Bloc (Otaniementie 12) and Undergraduate Centre (Otakaari 1) will be replaced in October with new large-sized linden seedlings. The old trees were in very poor condition and supported with cables to prevent them from falling. New saplings are planted in place of the old trees, and the trunks of the old trees were used to make the Otaniemi campus's latest decaying wood artwork.
One of the trunks will be placed in front of the Harald Herlin Learning Centre on the ground to increase the diversity of the area in the form of rotted wood. Rotting wood serves as a resting place for small organisms. The tree trunks are illuminated at night with special lighting.
The plantings in Korkeakouluaukio were completed in autumn 2022. The plantings inside the artpiece and on Korkeakouluaukio were designed by Malin Blomqvist, Rosaliina Luminiitty and Elina Kataja, MASU Planning Oy.
'The work illustrates the end of the old linden's life cycle, not just as rotting wood, but as a memory of the historical stratification and as a tribute to the valuable, central trees of the new and old campus area.
The wooden frames form a symbol of Aalto University's campus area, which is based on a balancing act between a deferential past and a changing future,' says landscape architect Malin Blomqvist.
Decayed woodwork lives and changes over the years. A variety of vegetation has been planted under and around it, some of which grows tall and reaches up to the trunks, forming a link between the living and decaying parts. In just two years, you can see a lot of changes in the work and its surroundings.
The development of outdoor areas is one of the central focuses of the university campus. In addition to pedestrian connections, for example, multi-use, accessibility, comfort and lighting, as well as design solutions in line with sustainable development, will be improved.
More information: Aalto University Campus & Real Estate, [email protected]
The diversity of Otaniemi's forests provides a good habitat for different species. Decaying wood also plays an important role in the natural cycle. Decayed wood is found in almost all forests on campus.
The campus has several meadow areas.
Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (ACRE) maintains, develops and rents out Aalto University facilities in Otaniemi and Töölö. We also build new concepts and shared facilities for parties outside the university, thus turning Otaniemi into a unique partnership centre and the most inspiring campus in the world.