Visual communication and art
Teeriniemi’s new daycare
A series of three public artworks as part of a new construction project
Grab the tail feathers and let your imagination fly…
…for the Lorulintu (Rhyme Bird) has built its nest in Teeriniemi’s daycare centre.
In late 2022, the Museums of the City of Vaasa issued an art proposal request for the new Teeriniemi daycare building. Based on the initial concept, Kakadu’s artist team (Ilona Partanen & Milka Tulinen) was selected to implement the artworks for the daycare centre.
Our work in this project:
- Public art
- Spatial interaction and community
- Graphic design and illustration
- Participatory and interactive co-creation
- User-centered design
Designing artworks considering
the user group and architecture
Our design process was based on involving the daycare and enhancing the sense of belonging in the new environment. The proposed “Lorutyöt” (Rhyme Works) consist of three separate pieces that together form a cohesive collection covering the entire daycare centre. The artworks were designed with children in mind, with their visual form, story, and color palette aimed at delighting the target group and stimulating imagination.
In addition, the artworks take into account the architecture of the new building, enhancing its recognition while being durable over time. The selected materials for the pieces are fireproof, easy to install and maintain. The artworks inside also have an acoustical effect, ensuring that they are not just decorative. The goal was to create a series of artworks that, at their best, add pedagogical value alongside the art and stories.
Art in acoustic solutions
Located on the facade, the aluminum composite and film print work “Lorupuu” (Rhyme Tree) offers endless nourishment to the Lorulintu that has moved into the daycare centre. Inside the daycare, the bird and nest are made by combining various acoustic products from Yeseco. The Lorulintu loves the giggles and constant chatter of small children, which is why it stands guard in the daycare’s dining hall, protecting all the sounds it hears with its soft wings.
When the space quiets down, the Lorulintu continues its journey, carrying a berry from the Lorupuu in its beak. The flight leads to the heart of the centre: the nest in the stairwell’s ceiling. In the nest, the Lorulintu has laid three eggs, which it incubates and nurtures with rhymes and leaves from the Lorupuu.
Co-creation without age limits
Along with the three rhyme works, the team facilitated participatory workshops for the daycare’s children and staff, where, through wordplay and crafting, they created imaginary characters that could inhabit the Lorupuu. Based on the characters created in the workshop, we wrote a rhyme attached to the Lorupuu artwork, introducing the characters. The printed rhyme and named characters became a lasting element of the artwork, which can be used in the daycare’s everyday play.
The daycare’s new group names were derived from the characters in the rhyme, and the tree was printed as a silhouette on the children’s outdoor vests.
The Loruteokset (Rhyme Works) at the daycare centre, which opened in spring 2024, have received a positive and interested reception, and the Lorulintu has found its nurturing home.
The Loruteokset (Rhyme Works) at the daycare centre, which opened in spring 2024, have received a positive and interested reception, and the Lorulintu has found its nurturing home.
Part of the photographs by Mikael Matikainen / City of Vaasa
In their selection, the team focused on the appropriateness of the art for the daycare environment and the potential for the art to support the daycare’s daily activities. Additionally, the artwork’s maintenance and durability requirements were considered. The selected team’s proposal emphasizes storytelling, participation, and conveys joy and positivity. The cost estimate included all material and installation costs, as well as the creation of a maintenance manual.
Tapio Ollikainen, Facility Manager, City of Vaasa
