Opened in February 2024, Noli Otaniemi is located in the rapidly growing and developing Otaniemi district of Espoo. The 15-storey hotel has 406 studios and was, at the time of completion, the largest Noli Studios project to date.
In line with the Noli concept, the hotel is designed as a communal environment for both short- and long-term stays, serving the needs of researchers, experts and international professionals at the university campus and nearby business areas. Its location beside a Raide-Jokeri stop and only half a kilometre from Aalto University metro station is excellent in transport terms.
The location at the northern meeting point of Tapiola and Otaniemi called for a striking, distinctive landmark. The façades’ light and brick-red tones connect the building to the existing architecture of both districts. The building rises proudly from a red-brick plinth characteristic of the area. The hotel’s angular form and sloping roofs are easy to recognise from a distance. The building mass is divided into two wings set at an angle to one another, giving it a modern, dynamic appearance. Stepped ends lighten the mass and emphasise its vertical lines.
The façades are enlivened by brick-red fins that make the building look different from different viewing angles and in different light conditions. Algorithmic design was used to arrange the fins so that they become sparser towards the top, creating a lighter, more delicate impression in the upper part of the tower. At the same time, they protect the windows from direct sunlight and glare, reducing the need to cool the spaces. Their apparently random yet mathematically determined placement also reflects the scientific character of the campus area.
