Helsinki Central Library based architectural office ALA has won the design competition for the new Helsinki Central Library with their entry “Käännös”. The open international two-stage competition attracted over 540 entries from all over the world. The 16,000 square meter (approx. 172,000 square feet) library building in the heart of Helsinki will consist almost entirely of public spaces. It will serve as the new central point for the city’s impressive public library network. The Central Library is slated to open in 2018.
© ALA Architects
The winning entry is based on the idea of dividing the functions of the library into three distinctive levels: an active ground floor, a calm upper floor, and an enclosed in-between volume containing the more specific functions. This concept has been developed into an arching form that invites people to utilize the spaces and services underneath, inside and on top of it. The resulting building will be an inspiring and highly functional addition to the urban life of Helsinki and the nationally significant Töölönlahti area.
© ALA Architects
ALA is one of the leading Nordic architecture firms. The office has previously completed the Kilden Performing Arts Centre in Kristiansand, Norway; and is currently working on a number of large public projects in Finland including two theaters, five subway stations, and a passenger ferry hub. “Käännös” has been designed by ALA partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta and Samuli Woolston together with their team. Read more.
Architects: ALA Architects
Country: Helsinki, Finland
Year: 2013
Photographs: ALA Architects
Area: 16,000
Team: Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta and Samuli Woolston with Aleksi Niemeläinen, Jussi Vuori, Erica Österlund and Martin Genet, Vladimir Ilic, Tiina Juuti, Julius Kekoni, Pekka Sivula, Jyri Tartia
Mechanical Engineering: Arup / Paul Dunne, Susan Cormican, Luke Stewart, Mona Holtkoetter
Structural Engineering: Arup / Rory McGowan, Aidan Madden, Colm Morrin
Facade Engineering: Arup / Anthony McCauley
Technical Specialist: Arup / Paul Dunne
Scale Model: Stoltmodels / Klaus Stolt
Client: City of Helsinki
Status: In progress
Type: Competition, 1st Prize m2
Visualizations: Vizarch.Cz / Petra Grísová, Josef Veselý, Vratislav ZíkaProject
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