Ylistönrinne alteration and renovation project – Extensive facility changes underway

Construction of the new laboratory facilities of the Department of Chemistry in the YAD wing of the Ambiotica building is on schedule, with the facilities expected to be in University’s use on 21 August 2026. The Department of Chemistry can then start relocating its laboratories soon after this.

Use of the current Department of Chemistry building will end by the end of this year. Regarding the future of the building, a renovation project is being planned to locate the sports laboratory, the Department of Psychology’s laboratory facilities and the new server hall of Digital Services in the building.

It is estimated that the Department of Chemistry’s relocation to the new facilities will be completed by the end of November. Extensive facility rearrangements have already taken place in Ambiotica and the Nanoscience Center to free up office space for the Department of Chemistry.

“The Ylistönrinne renovation is a joint project involving the entire staff and demonstrates how large-scale changes can be implemented smoothly through careful planning and collaboration,” says Timo Sajavaara, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at the University of Jyväskylä. “Through proactive arrangements and flexible cooperation, we can ensure that the renovations and relocation to new facilities will be completed on schedule, while maintaining as much continuity as possible in the day-to-day work of the departments. Alongside the renovation, the Department of Chemistry will boast the most modern and the best laboratory facilities in Finland.”

The Department of Biological and Environmental Science makes room for colleagues

In March and April, the staff of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science has significantly compacted their office facilities at Ambiotica. These changes have affected almost everyone in the department and have freed up offices on the fourth floor of section C of Ambiotica for the use of the Department of Chemistry staff in autumn.

“Warm thanks to the whole staff for your contribution during the relocation,” says Lotta-Riina Sundberg, vice head in charge of research at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. “Ambiotica’s renovation and various relocations have been a considerable undertaking for the department for several years now, the department’s own staff have played a key role in ensuring its smooth implementation. Their commitment, flexibility and collaboration has been crucial in enabling us to accomplish the demanding relocation process smoothly and in good spirits.”

In May and August, the original floor materials of the Ambiotica building will be replaced. This will largely affect the teaching laboratories on the third floor of the YAB section and the facilities in the YAA section. The auditorium floor in Ambiotica will also be renovated at the same time.

Nanoscience Center’s office renovation will result in a temporary relocation to various buildings

Before the Department of Chemistry moves in, the vacant offices in section C of Ambiotica will be used for the temporary relocation of Nanoscience Center staff. Alterations to the Nanoscience Center offices will start at the beginning of May, driving a large proportion of personnel to other facilities for temporary relocation. Some staff currently working at the Nanoscience Center will permanently relocate to the working facilities of Physics, which are currently being consolidated by the Department of Physics. The facilities used for relocating the Nanoscience Center offices will also include vacant office space in the YK building section and the Department of Chemistry as well as teaching facilities on the ground floor of the Nanoscience Center.

“Although the Nanoscience Center staff will work across different sites for a while, their cooperation will maintain close and operations continue seamlessly,” says Vice Director of the Nanoscience Center Jussi Toppari. “As before, research quality and collaboration will remain at a high level.”

The Nanoscience Center’s office changes will take place in May and August 2026. After this, any necessary changes to the furniture will be made before the staff return to these facilities. The overall changes enable the Department of Chemistry to occupy some offices at the Nanoscience Center.

The facility changes for the Nanoscience Center’s NMR laboratory have also been completed, and the installation of the 850 MHz NMR apparatus is ongoing. The Department of Biological and Environmental Science’s procurement supplements the University’s NMR equipment pool.

Laboratory teaching for physics and chemistry is integrated into the new student laboratory facilities

In the Department of Physics building, the student laboratory is being altered to accommodate some of chemistry’s laboratory teaching to the same facilities with physics. The planning stage has been completed and the aim is to proceed to implementation as soon as possible.

“This change to facilities will optimise the use of space in the teaching laboratories by creating spaces that can truly be adapted to the needs of both physics and chemistry,” states Project Coordinator Jussi Ahokas. “The design process has progressed smoothly in collaboration with experts from the Chemistry and Physics departments. However, the facility change has required precise planning and is slightly behind schedule. The aim is to have the chemistry facilities in use for teaching in the autumn semester. The schedule will be confirmed in May and communicated at that time.”

Table 1. Progress of the Ylistönrinne alteration and renovation project.