Helsinki Central Library OODI by ALA Architects

ALA Architects finished the construction of Helsinki Central Library OODI in Helsinki, Finland. The design grows from the dynamic between the site and the goals of the library program. The key concept is the interplay between the building’s three individual floors.

The public plaza in front of the Helsinki Central Library OODI building will continue inside, merging with a catalog of meeting and experience features. The ground floor will be a robust, busy, and frequently updated space suitable for quick visits and walkthroughs. The active, zero-threshold public areas are visible, attractive, understandable, and welcoming to all visitors.

The traditional, serene library atmosphere can be found on the top floor. This is a calm and contemplative area floating above the busy central Helsinki. It offers unobstructed, majestic views of the surrounding park and cityscape.

An arching wooden volume creates these two contrasting spaces that perfectly complement each other. The spaces inside the book are enclosed and more intimate. The wooden volume is stretched vertically to create connections to the open main floors below and above.

Architects: ALA Architects
Location:  Töölönlahdenkatu, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Client: City of Helsinki
Area: 17250.0 m2
Building Type: Library
Project Year: 2018
Photographs: Tuomas Uusheimo
Manufacturers : Jaatimet Oy, Lopen Rakennuspuu Oy, Sisuwood Oy, TIMBECO WOODHOUSE OÜ, Idea-Puu Oy, SISÄRAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA SRT OY, UniFor Spa, Mikroväylä Oy, Tormax, Timberpoint Oy, Windoor AS, Teräselementti Oy, OTIS Oy, Lumir Oy, Icopal Oy
Program: Library functions, group working spaces, recording and editing studios, maker space, movie theater, multi-purpose hall, café, restaurant, 17,100 m² total
Team: ALA partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta (until 2015) and Samuli Woolston with Niklas Mahlberg, Michal Bala, Marina Diaz Garcia, Jyri Eskola, Zuzana Hejtmankova, Anna Juhola, Mette Kahlos, Anniina Kortemaa, Malgorzata Mutkowska, Justin Ng, Aleksi Niemeläinen, Marlène Oberli-Räihä, Olli Parviainen, Anton Pramstrahler, Akanksha Rathi, Niina Rinkinen, Pauliina Rossi, Heikki Ruoho, Mikael Rupponen, Mirja Sillanpää, Miguel Silva, Pekka Sivula, Tom Stevens, Tuulikki Tanska, Nea Tuominen, Jussi Vuori and Erica Österlund