Founded in 1908, the Guild of Architecture, Arkkitehtikilta, is the oldest student organization in the Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture and one of the oldest in the entire University. Rather than for long traditions the guild is known for it’s ever-changing, living student culture. This can be seen in the University’s most versatile activity, and the independent projects that members do in the community, eg. a sauna in a van “Sauna in Transit”, the renowned dancegroup #Swagswagnamnam, a new song book (handy for sitsit!) and the list goes on.
The Guild’s main tasks include the monitoring of architect and landscape architecture students’ interests in the school politics, but in addition to this the guild organizes events for many different output. Of these, the traditional ‘sitsit’ and other parties are most common, but the guild also offers a range of cultural and sports events. On weekly basis, you can join us in the cafeteria to enjoy the Kiltakahvit (Guildcafé), where members get free coffee and information about current topics, and just mingle. The crown jewel of the guild’s events is the annual celebration Wähäjoulu, that is organized December the 5th for the 106th time.
Where do the students hang when they have time from school work? The Guild Room or ‘Kiltis’, is a home base for architecture students near Otaniemi mall. Most of the guild’s official meetings and some smaller events like movie nights are organized there, and it serves as the students’ own livingroom and a meeting place that is constantly in active use. The location is ideal for international students, for it’s located in the bottom floor of the building where most of your classes takes place, Metallimiehenkuja 4.
And that’s not all! Guild members enjoy a variety of perks and services, such as cardboard sales and cheeper prices renting the Guild’s cottage, Maja, in Sipoo. From Miestentie 3 Guild Shop, you can buy the guild’s sitsi-songbook “Musta” or other guild products. Members will also receive free student overalls (handy for workshopping and essential in many Finnish student partys) which is, after the Teekkarilakki (the student cap) the most recognizable emblem for an architecture student. The student cap can only be bought after filling a list of tasks that you will hear more from your Foreign Legion Captain Rosa Väisänen. I wish you very warmly welcome to this inspiring community of architecture students. The eight euro membership fee can be paid at the same time with the student union membership fee, but you can also pay it in guilds events and to your Foreign Legion Captain. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact any of us board members. See you soon!
Jason Santeri Nuotio
The Chairman of the Guild of Architecture
puheenjohtaja@arkkitehtikilta.fi