Ylistönrinne development and renovation project: The Ambiotica YAD section premises were completed on schedule
A long-term and challenging project to renovate the laboratory facilities of the Department of Chemistry has now been completed. The facilities in the YAD wing will primarily serve the Department of Chemistry’s research. Research environments have also been developed for Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Some of the facilities are shared between the departments. This supports multidisciplinary research collaboration and the efficient use of resources.
- Through user-centered design, the laboratories have been designed to make efficient use of space by enhancing the functionality of the facilities. The close participation of the facility users during the entire project was a key factor in achieving a successful result. The upcoming move will still be a major effort before the building can be taken into use, explains Project Coordinator Jussi Ahokas from Facility Services.
Renovated Facilities Strengthen Research Collaboration
The renovation and expansion of the YAD wing was a technically demanding project that combined the high quality and safety requirements of research environments with the changing needs of users.
- It’s wonderful that the project was completed on schedule and costs stayed pretty well within planned budget. The most modern laboratory facilities within Universities in Finland will now serve several research groups and foster collaboration, says the Dean of the Faculty Timo Sajavaara.
A few finishing works are still being carried out on the building. These will not impact the building’s use or the upcoming moves.
- The water damage that happened during construction has been repaired. The repair work has been carefully documented, and the process has been presented to the university. The repairs do not affect the building’s use, clarifies Ahokas.
The Department of Chemistry is moving to its new facilities in phases
The next step in the project is to take the new YAD wing into use and remove the temporary facilities. The Department of Chemistry’s staff will start moving into the new facilities in phases in October. The Department of Chemistry building and the applied chemistry facilities are expected to be empty by the end of November.
Teaching facilities will return to normal use in September
Moving back into the offices will take place in phases starting on 28 September 2026, as the required refurnishing work will continue for several weeks after completion of the renovation.
The temporary arrangements used for teaching at the Nanoscience Center will be dismantled so that the teaching facilities will once again be available for teaching use starting 7 September 2026. Users who have been working in the temporary facilities will be relocated to two spaces that will be refurnished, some for permanent use and some for temporary use. Ambiotica’s teaching facilities will also return to use in phases starting 4 September 2026.
- The return of the teaching facilities is a very welcome milestone in the project. The end of the temporary arrangements will make it easier to organize teaching, reduce space-related challenges, and support a smooth daily routine for both students and staff, notes Sajavaara.
The partial renovation of the physics student laboratory will also be completed on 31 August 2026. Room FL357 will be used as a chemistry teaching laboratory after the renovation.
