Aalto DFSUMMER ACCESS FOR VIIMA / DF
Viima building is closed for student access 18 June - 16 August 2026. Generally no access will be premited for the summer unless strong justification is provided. Normal access will resume 17.8. For more details read below.
VIIMA CLOSED 18.6 – 16.8
The following summer access schedule applies to students only / non-Aalto staff at Viima.
During this period, the front doors will remain closed.
WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICE
During this period, students with access will not be able to access either the building or DF Labs, even if they have completed the necessary courses.
Aalto staff and Partner Plaza members will retain access during this period.
SUMMER ACCESS APPLICATIONS
A form for summer access requests will be open from 1 June to 15 June.
Please note that summer access will be granted only in exceptional cases and with very strong justification.
SPECIFIC OPENING TIMES
8 June–17 June
Viima external doors 7:45–15:30
Starting 13 June
DF Labs doors closed / student access stops
Starting 18 June
Viima external doors closed / student access stops
☀️ SUMMER CLOSURE ☀️
Starting 17 August
Viima external and DF Labs doors open 7:45 – 15:30, after opening hours student access does not work
Starting 24 August
Viima external doors: 7:45 – 18:00
DF Labs: 8:00–16:00
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR AUGUST
There will be a week long period in August when both general access and prototyping access are inactive.
During that time, entry to the building is still possible during working hours 07:45 – 15:30.
ACCESS SPECIFIC DATES
GENERAL ACCESS
Closed from: Thursday 18 June
Resumes: Monday 17 August
Applies to students only, not staff or Partner Plaza partners
PROTOYPING ACCESS
Closed from: Saturday 13 June
Reopens: Monday 17 August
Applies to students only, not staff or Partner Plaza partners
ACCESS TO VIIMA & AALTO DF SPACES
Viima is the designated name for the premises housing the Aalto Design Factory, located at Puumiehenkuja 5a. The building’s main entrance is accessible from 07:45 to 1800. During these hours, anyone is free to enter and explore the public areas on the first floor, along with major event spaces including DF’s The Stage, The Hub, Studio, and StartUp Sauna’s Garage. The DF Labs, home to a majority of DF’s prototyping facilities, also welcomes visitors from 0800-1600.
Outside these hours, Aalto staff members can gain entry using their access card or key fob. On weekends and during night hours, a security code is needed in addition to card or tag access at the door.
The Design Factory’s staff offices are situated on the first floor, on the right side of the lobby.
Students requiring building access beyond regular hours, or teachers wishing to secure access for their students, should consult the specific guidelines provided below.
USER SPECIFIC INFO
STUDENTS
Two distinct access categories are provided: general and prototyping
GENERAL ACCESS
As a student, you don’t have automatic access to Viima outside of working hours. To gain this access, you need to complete the “General Access – Viima” course, which you can find on MyCourses. The course takes less than an hour, and you should gain access fairly quickly afterward.
Note: During summer and winter holidays, this access will not work as we aim to minimize the use of the space!
PROTOTYPING ACCESS
Prototyping access now includes entry into the DF Labs area (with some exceptions). Students who successfully complete the “MEC-E3900 – Prototyping Tools at the Design Factory” course are granted this access level.
The course features an online segment accessible via MyCourses and a weekly in-person session, capped at 20 students each. As a student, you can enroll via Sisu and will earn 1 study credit upon completion.
Please note that to complete the course, you must also have completed the General Access – Viima course.
TEACHERS
You are a teacher and want to have access for your students?
GENERAL ACCESS
Teachers and other Aalto staff members automatically have access to the building’s general areas.
If your students only wish to use the building’s office facilities, they are welcome to do so. During workdays, the building and most reservable spaces are available through the Aalto Space app, accessible via students’ mobile devices. For students who need access to the building outside of office hours and on weekends, they can complete the “General Access – Viima” course, which is specifically designed for this purpose.
PROTOTYPING ACCESS
If your students need to use the prototyping spaces within the DF Labs area, they are welcome to do so. However, DF Labs is only open during workdays from 08:00 to 16:00. To access these spaces outside of these hours, students must complete two courses, which is the only way to obtain Prototyping access.
Prototyping access now includes entry into the DF Labs area (with some exceptions). Students who complete the “MEC-E3900 – Prototyping Tools at the Design Factory” course will gain this access level. The course includes an online segment accessible via MyCourses and a weekly in-person session, limited to 20 students per session. Students can enroll through Sisu and will earn 1 study credit upon completion.
Additionally, students must complete the General Access – Viima course. This course does not earn credits, is entirely online, and enrollment is through MyCourses.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
AALTO STAFF
You are Aalto Staff and want access to the building?
GENERAL ACCESS
As a Aalto Staff member your access should work just fine in the whole Viima building. However you will not be able to enter to our prototyping areas aka. DF Labs when they are closed. DF Labs are open during the workdays from 0800 to 1600. You are welcome to come in.
PROTOTYPING ACCESS
To gain access to the DF Labs outside of regular working hours, we kindly ask you to complete both the “MEC-E3900 – Prototyping Tools at the Design Factory” course and the “General Access – Viima” course. This requirement extends to Aalto Design Factory staff as well.
Prototyping access now allows entry into the DF Labs area (with certain exceptions). Staff members who successfully complete the MEC-E3900 course will be granted this access level. The course offers an online segment accessible via MyCourses and a weekly in-person session, with a limit of 20 participants per session.
The General Access – Viima course is entirely online and can be completed swiftly through MyCourses.
If you are unable to attend a session, please contact the individuals listed at the bottom of the page, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
CONTACT
Something still not clear?
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Shreyasi Kar Head of Operations
shreyasi.kar@aalto.fi +358 50 302 5622
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George Atanassov Services Manager
george.atanassov@aalto.fi
+358 41 465 1391