Hortus Conclusus
Helsinki, Finland
Education
7.810 m2
2021
“Hortus Conclusus” is a Latin term, meaning literally “enclosed garden”. At their root, both of the words in hortus conclusus refer linguistically to enclosure. It describes a genre of garden that was enclosed as a practical concern, a major theme in the history of gardening.
The concept of hortus conclusus, an enclosed garden, forms the architectural essence of this kindergarten. More than a metaphor, it defines a spatial condition in which protection, orientation, and everyday life are organised around a sheltered interior landscape. The building is conceived as a continuous enclosure that creates a calm and controlled environment for children, while remaining carefully connected to its surroundings.
Located in Helsinki’s Taka-Töölö district, near Sibelius Park and its monument, the site is shaped by rocky topography and a convergence of distinct urban and natural edges. Rajasaarentie Street, the Villa Bravalla landmark, and the park establish contrasting scales and atmospheres around the plot. The project responds by introducing a single, legible volume that gathers these conditions into a coherent whole, stabilising the transition between city, villa, and landscape through enclosure rather than fragmentation.
The building is organised as a closed ring around an inner courtyard. This enclosed garden operates as the spatial and social centre of the kindergarten, providing a protected outdoor space that is continuously visible and accessible from within. The courtyard establishes orientation, supports supervision, and frames daily activities, allowing exterior space to become an integral part of the learning environment without exposure to external pressures.
Topography informs the section of the project. By connecting the lowest and highest points of the site, the building acts as a continuous platform that mediates between street, park, and villa. This allows the programme to be distributed across two levels, with spaces directly connected to outdoor areas and a clear continuity between interior rooms and the enclosed garden.
Material and construction choices reinforce this spatial logic. A smooth timber structure envelops the ring, adapting to changes in ground level and producing a consistent architectural presence. At the lower levels, a glazed perimeter contrasts with the roughness of the surrounding rock, extending visual connections between the inner garden and the exterior landscape. In this way, the kindergarten remains open to light and context while preserving the protective condition that defines its core.
Status
Complete, Open Competition
Client
Helsinki Municipality
Design team
Diogo Sousa Rocha
Duarte Ramalho Fontes
Petra Simoes
Consultants
AFRY Ark Studio
