Student Union building Ilokivi
Ilokivi, located on the beautiful Seminaarinmäki campus in Jyväskylä, is the city’s Student Union Building. It is home to the Student Union JYY’s member activities, the Soihtu Housing customer service point, Ilokivi Restaurant, and the event venue Ilokivi Venue.
Ilokivi is living history, well-being, comfort, and meaningful encounters in the heart of the unique world-renowned Aalto campus of Jyväskylä.
Visiting address:
Keskussairaalantie 2
FI-40600 Jyväskylä, Finland
Ilokivi: Jyväskylä’s Student Union Building for the Whole City
Restaurant Ilokivi
Delicious and affordable home-style lunches, available to enjoy on site or take away. Open to both students and the wider community, always served the Ilokivi way. Lunches at Ilokivi are prepared by Semma Campus Restaurants.
Ilokivi Venue
Ilokivi Venue is a cultural event space located on the lowest floor of Ilokivi Student Union Building in Jyväskylä.
Ilokivi Venue is available for private bookings and can feature a wide range of events.
- Capacity with seating (including tiered seating): 200 guests
- Maximum capacity: 365 guests
- Retractable tiered seating for 60 guests
Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä JYY
JYY is the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä. It advocates for students’ interests, provides services, and supports the student community. JYY built its headquarters as a Student Union building, which is now known as Ilokivi.
We are in Ilokivi
Student Union Building Ilokivi on Keskussairaalantie 2 is the location for:
- Ilokivi Service Desk
- Soihtu Customer Service
- Premises for the Student Union’s Member Services and Soihtu Operations
- Restaurant Ilokivi by Semma
- Rental event venue Ilokivi Venue
- Arkkitehtipalvelu Oy
- Jyväskylän ylioppilasteatteri JYT
Next to Ilokivi Student Union Building, in JYY’s Opinkivi property (the extension wing of the Student Union Building):
- Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy by JYU (OPK building)
- Rentable Opinkivi Sauna and meeting room
You can find contact information and service instructions on each organisation’s own website.
Ilokivi: Since 1964
Jyväskylä University’s student union building originated from the student’s need for suitable premises for advocacy work in addition to venues for diverse cultural activities and a restaurant. The student union building was opened after many twists and turns in the autumn of 1964. The following spring the student union owned restaurant was opened and coined its name Ilokivi through a naming contest. The name refers to a rock located on Seminaarinmäki, that had been the meeting place for teacher education students’ spring festival.
Alvar Aalto has designed the campus architecture on Seminaarinmäki and also provided the original plans for the student union building.
Bowling fun and childcare
After the student union building was built, it became the center of academic student life. The building offered facilities for student nations, dance parties were held, there was a bowling alley downstairs, and the student union restaurant had liquor licenses. The student union building also provided childcare to help students with families from time to time (as student families were not yet eligible for day care provided by the municipality).
Ilokivi today
Ilokivi Student Union Building has undergone many changes throughout its history. The building and its restaurant have long been an integral part of student life in Jyväskylä.
Located on the middle floor of the Student Union Building, Restaurant Ilokivi serves delicious lunches to students, staff, and local residents alike. Known for its high-quality food, responsible food production, and friendly, hassle-free service, the restaurant has become a well-established part of the Ilokivi experience.
On 1 January 2024, the operation of Restaurant Ilokivi was transferred from JYY to Semma Oy, which now runs the lunch restaurant.