Primary school relocates to shopping centre in Seinäjoki as indoor air renovation forces temporary move

A primary school in Seinäjoki, western Finland, will operate out of a shopping centre for up to a year while its original building undergoes indoor air quality repairs, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Around 200 pupils—roughly half of Marttila School’s student body—will move into the Torikeskus shopping centre after Easter, with classes expected to begin in the temporary space on 13 April. The relocation follows decades of recurring maintenance issues at the school, originally built in 1930.

“There’s always been some kind of renovation since first grade,” said fifth-grader Lauri Kilpeläinen, recalling past disruptions, including a period when classes were held in the school library. The latest overhaul, prompted by persistent indoor air problems, will address ventilation and structural concerns that have caused discomfort among students and staff.

The 800-square-metre space, formerly occupied by a clothing retailer, has been converted into eight classrooms and a staff room over two months. Despite the lack of windows and unfinished touches like unpainted walls, pupils expressed optimism during a preview visit. “It actually looks cosy once we get rid of some of these panels,” said Alana Nyqvist, while classmate Heta Rinta-Rahko suggested a glass door could brighten the windowless rooms.

Teachers and administrators emphasised the benefits of the move, particularly the improved air quality. “No one will feel unwell here—we can just live normally,” said fifth-grader Max Hirvivuori. Class teacher Fanni Herrala called the transition “an exciting change,” noting that students will return to their original schoolyard for recess, maintaining routine despite the unusual setting.

While the shopping centre now houses mostly offices and eateries—a shift from its retail-focused past—school leaders have agreed on ground rules with the property owner to minimise disruptions. “We’ll trust everyone to handle this sensibly,” Herrala said. The centre’s remaining food outlets, including a burger chain and pizzeria, may tempt students, but principal Juha Viita insisted school meals would remain the norm: “They can smell the burgers, but we’ll eat at school.”

Property investor Raimo Sarajärvi, who owns Torikeskus, framed the arrangement as part of a broader trend: shopping centres evolving into service hubs as traditional retail moves online. “Young people bring life to these spaces,” he told Yle, advocating for more youth-centric urban planning. “The only real solution is to bring young residents back to city centres.”

The school’s century-old building has undergone multiple renovations, most recently in the late 1990s, but persistent issues prompted the current overhaul. If delays arise, the move may be pushed back by a day or two, though students and staff said the wait was no longer a concern.