The new event and studio center, Marsio is to be built in the middle of Aalto University campus. It will create a place for radical creativity, experimentation and new thinking. The building provides multi-purpose spaces for teaching arts and media, interdisciplinary research and for various events. The Marsio facilities will be equipped with the newest digital technologies that enable cross-sectoral research and teaching. In addition to facilities serving Aalto University’s users, there will also be space for catering and event services operators and visitor center for visitors of the university.
The name of the event center, Marsio, is a tribute to the architect Aino Marsio-Aalto. Marsio-Aalto’s impact to the Otaniemi campus is significant as her and Alval Aalto’s joint proposal “Ave Alma Mater, morituri te salutant” won the Otaniemi building plan competition in 1949, the year of Aino Marsio’s passing.
The construction of two new buildings, belonging to the Otakaari 2 -project, in the middle of the Otaniemi campus began in February this year. Otakaari 2B will be a building focusing on research, with facilities especially for the use of the School of Science and the School of Electrical Engineering, located on the west side of Marsio building and in the intersection of Ainonaukio and Konemiehentie.
The developer of project Otakaari 2 is Aalto University Campus & Real Estate and the overall extent of the project is 12.000 brm². Marsio (Otakaari 2A) and Otakaari 2B are to be completed at the end of 2023.
Link to the Aalto University’s news: https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/the-new-marsio-building-is-a-showcase-for-research-teaching-and-impact-at-aalto-university