Kari Campus

Kari Campus is a multifunctional public building in Rauma, Finland, located next to the UNESCO-listed Old Town. It includes four wings dedicated to education, sports, culture and youth services, arranged around a central atrium that serves as a shared public space. The architecture reflects Rauma’s heritage through wooden facades, plastered brick and pedestrian-friendly massing. The campus enhances the city’s public realm, offering diverse indoor and outdoor environments for learning, leisure and community interaction across all age groups and times of day.

Kari Campus was conceived to consolidate multiple public services into a single, efficient and inclusive complex. The strategy focused on maximizing shared use, synergy and accessibility, informed by continuous dialogue with user groups. Located between Rauma’s historic Old Town and modern districts, the campus bridges tradition and contemporary urban life. Inspired by Rauma’s lace-making heritage, the spatial concept emphasizes impressive shared spaces and functional wings. A diagonal internal street and multiple entrances ensure openness and independence for each function. The building’s massing and orientation create sunny outdoor areas with a pleasant microclimate, supporting year-round activity. Each wing reflects its specific use, while the central atrium acts as a public living room, fostering encounters and community cohesion. The design prioritizes flexibility, inclusivity and long-term adaptability.

Kari Campus employs wood, plastered brick and steel to harmonize with Rauma’s architectural identity and withstand Nordic climate conditions. Steel enables cantilevered structures and layered eaves that protect facades from weather stress. Sustainable design strategies include shared changing rooms, multifunctional lobbies, and high space utilization across time and user groups. The building’s composition forms sheltered outdoor areas with favorable microclimates. Interiors feature modifiable furniture, natural light and durable finishes. Maintenance is supported by robust materials and flexible layouts. Parking is integrated beneath the sports hall with direct access. The project followed Finland’s “1% for art” principle, embedding art throughout the campus. Energy efficiency, lifecycle cost control and BIM coordination were central to the design and construction process, ensuring long-term sustainability and operational resilience.