Exhibition center Aalto University Dipoli

Dipoli is the main building of Aalto University and a popular meeting place. Riley and Reima Pietilä designed Dipoli in 1966 as a new university building for engineering students.

Dipoli history

In the early 1960s, the Helsinki University of Technology moved from Helsinki to Espoo and the first buildings were designed by architect Alvar Aalto. In 1961, a competition was held to design a new building for the university’s student union. Due to the difficult rocky location and the need for adaptability, none of the competition designs met all the jury’s criteria and the first prize was not awarded: the second prize was shared by the architect couple Reima and Riley Pietilä and Osmo Lappo, who were asked to finalise their proposals. In the end, Pietilä’s design was chosen as the basis for the new building. Construction began in 1965 and the building was completed in the autumn of 1966.

Due to high maintenance costs, the building was converted into a university training centre in 1993. In addition to its main function, Dipoli is still used for conventions, congresses and student parties. There are over 20 meeting rooms and classrooms in the building.

The Aalto University Student Union owned Dipoli until 2013, when it was announced that the building would be sold to the university for an undisclosed sum. Between 2015 and 2017, the building was extensively renovated and transformed into the university’s new main building. The newly renovated structure includes an auditorium, restaurants and exhibition halls. The university’s administration is also based in Dipoli.

Event and Conference Facilities

The main building of Aalto University is Dipoli. It is a new type of multifunctional building that reflects the university’s skills and knowledge, activities and people. Dipoli provides meeting, working, event and exhibition space for the entire Aalto community and stakeholders. In addition to the University and its students, Aalto’s partners are welcome to hold their own events at Dipoli. Dipoli has six conference and private party rooms that can accommodate groups from 10 to 1000 people, as well as Fazer restaurants and cafés.