Header: Baptiste Debombourg | Adagp
The Kide building was designed by SARC+SIGGE Architects, with Max Hartman as the lead designer, for educational and research purposes at Aalto University’s School of Basic Sciences (Applied Physics) and School of Electrical Engineering. It is at the heart of the Otaniemi campus, forming part of the recognisable view toward the Alvar Aalto-designed Undergraduate Centre.
In approaching the project, Hartman was inspired by how light interacts with sea waves and how these reflections play off the architecture and the landscape. The building’s position at a busy intersection, where pedestrians, cars, and trams pass near the sea, guided him to create a design that reflects these movements. The artist chose materials that activate light and translate the theme into an undulating ‘topography,’ with the work acting like a window to a new abstract view of light and movement.
The mirror-polished stainless steel of the installation, which is slightly undulated, was selected for its durability—it doesn’t rust and can withstand freezing temperatures. The artwork is mounted 30 mm from the wall, and its reflective surface introduces a sense of motion and dynamism. By amplifying reflections, the artwork catches the eye, inviting contemplation and offering different atmospheres depending on the light conditions, even functioning well in lower light.
The exterior follows the structure of the first-floor windows, with an uninterrupted flow that appears like liquid spilling into the space. Inside, it evokes a splash of a wave, welcoming visitors with its movement. The installation adds a new perspective to the building, marking the entrance while respecting its architecture and becoming a landmark for passersby.
