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La Biennale di Venezia

16th International Architecture Exhibition

16. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura

Mind-Building

Exhibition at the Pavilion of Finland

Archinfo Finland

Mind-Building

Mind-Building

Exhibition at the Pavilion of Finland


26 May – 25 Nov 2018

Commissioner Hanna Harris, Archinfo Finland

Curator Anni Vartola

Organiser Archinfo Finland

Exhibition design Tuomas Siitonen

Graphic design Johannes Nieminen

Project manager Maikki Lavikkala

Communications Miina Jutila

Producer Sini Parikka

Assistant Ella Tammisto

Main supporter Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland

Main partner City of Helsinki

Catalogue

Texts and research Anni Vartola

Editor Miina Jutila

Layout Johannes Nieminen

Translations AAC Global

Printers Aldus 2018, Finland

© Archinfo Finland

ISBN 978-952-94-0408-7

ISBN 978-952-94-0409-4 (PDF)


16th International Architecture Exhibition

16. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura

Archinfo Finland

Mind-Building

4 5

Preface

”Libraries are the most important building typol-ogy in today’s cities”, architect David Adjaye re-cently said.1 Writer Neil Gaiman goes even further in claiming that nothing less than our future de-pends on libraries.2

Finns are a nation who really use libraries and have always believed in them as spaces for an active citizenship to grow. Today, new flagship facilities are being built and local libraries revamped, all together with their users.

An exploration into Finland’s libraries and their architectures is something I have wanted to do for years. With the 2018 biennale theme being ‘Freespace’ and Helsinki’s new central library Oodi by ALA Architects opening to the public straight af-ter the biennale, the time was now.

1 Design Commons conference, 7.9.2017, Helsinki Design Week2 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

Preface

An extraordinary amount of people and organi-sations have come together to make the project hap-pen. Curator Anni Vartola has done a magnificent job in researching the ideas behind library archi-tectures past, present and future. Architect Tuomas Siitonen and graphic designer Johannes Nieminen have translated the findings into a beautiful spatial and visual presentation. Participating architects, artists and numerous partners have wanted to be part of the journey. And without saying – our ex-traordinary team at Archinfo Finland have worked incredibly hard to pull everything together.

We have all been driven by the same motivations as Adjaye and Gaiman. We love libraries and we be-lieve in their importance.

So welcome to read, learn and share both in our pavilion in Venice and in libraries across the globe.

Hanna Harris

Commissioner

Director, Archinfo Finland

6 7

Prefazione

”Le biblioteche sono gli edifici più rilevanti nelle città di oggi”, ha affermato recentemente l’architetto Da-vid Adjaye.1 Lo scrittore Neil Gaiman ne sottolinea ulteriormente l’importanza, sostenendo che dalle bi-blioteche dipende nientemeno che il nostro futuro.2

La Finlandia è un paese in cui le biblioteche hanno sempre avuto una funzione importante e sono sempre state spazi ideali per la promozione di una cittadinanza attiva. Oggi vengono realizzate nuove strutture e le biblioteche locali vengono rimoder-nate, insieme ai loro utenti.

Era da anni che volevo dare uno sguardo più approfondito alle biblioteche finlandesi e alle rela-tive architetture. L’occasione adatta è arrivata con l’annuncio del tema della Biennale 2018, “Spazio libero”, e con l’apertura al pubblico della nuova bi-blioteca centrale Oodi di ALA Architects a Helsinki subito dopo la Biennale.

Il numero di persone e di associazioni che hanno partecipato a questo progetto è stato straordinario.

1 Conferenza Design Commons del 7 settembre 2017, Helsinki Design Week2 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

Prefazione

La curatrice Anni Vartola ha fatto un lavoro incredi-bile, nel tentativo di indagare le idee alla base delle architetture delle biblioteche passate, presenti e fu-ture. L’architetto Tuomas Siitonen e il graphic desi-gner Johannes Nieminen hanno tradotto i risultati di questo reportage in una presentazione spaziale e visiva a dir poco sublime. Questo percorso ha vi-sto la partecipazione di architetti, artisti e tanti altri soggetti, senza contare, ovviamente, il nostro stra-ordinario team di Archinfo Finland, che ha lavorato senza sosta per fare in modo che tutto si svolgesse nel migliore dei modi.

Le affermazioni di Adjaye e Gaiman sono state il nostro punto di partenza e motivo di ispirazione. Amiamo profondamente le biblioteche e crediamo fermamente nella loro importanza.

Confido dunque che vogliate cogliere quest’oc-casione per vivere un momento di lettura, appren-dimento e condivisione, sia nel nostro padiglione a Venezia, che nelle biblioteche di tutto il mondo.

Hanna Harris

Commissario

Direttore di Archinfo Finland

8 9

Introduction

Finland’s representation at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia responds to the theme ‘Freespace’ with a study of li-brary architecture and public library spaces. The ex-hibition conceives libraries as a case-study of mod-ern monumentality and as buildings that remind us of the core values of civic society and the power of enlightenment. The recently revised Public Librar-ies Act, which came into force in Finland in 2017, defines the public library as the nexus of active cit-izenship, democracy and freedom of expression.

Our reading of ‘Freespace’ rests on an under-standing that the architecture of public libraries syn-thesizes the representation of a social institution, the functional needs of library spaces, and a pub-licly funded architectural gesture of considerable local significance. Library architecture has always responded to the changes in the library institution and in societal development. The public library was

Introduction

originally perceived as the symbol of progressive societal aspirations. Today it takes the form of the non-commercial common ground for intellectual and creative freedom. It is a free space for learn-ing, doing and sharing. The public library of the 21st century is a ‘popular monument’: a non-com-mercial public space which is open for everyone, free for everyone, belonging to everyone and used for everyone’s benefit.

The exhibition explores the development of Finn-ish library architecture through architectural sam-ples, their historical and theoretical context and a usable library space installation. Starting from the Rikhardinkatu public library from 1881 – the first building in Finland designed specifically for library use – the exhibition looks towards libraries of the future. The newest example is the new Helsinki Cen-tral Library designed by ALA Architects and due to open in December 2018.

Anni Vartola

Curator

Mind-Building

10 11

Introduzione

In occasione della 16ma Mostra internazionale di architettura organizzata nell’ambito della Biennale di Venezia, i partecipanti dalla Finlandia affrontano il tema ‘Freespace’ realizzando uno studio sull’ar-chitettura delle biblioteche e degli spazi bibliotecari pubblici. La mostra esplora le biblioteche come case study di monumentalità moderna, e come edifici atti a sottolineare il potere della cultura e i valori fon-danti della nostra società. La Legge finlandese sulle biblioteche pubbliche, in vigore dal 2017 e recen-temente modificata, definisce le biblioteche pubbli-che come simboli di cittadinanza attiva, democrazia e libertà di espressione.

La nostra lettura del tema ‘Freespace’ si basa sull’idea che l’architettura delle biblioteche pubbli-che sia al tempo stesso la rappresentazione di un istituto sociale, la risposta alle esigenze funzionali di uno spazio bibliotecario, e un’iniziativa di archi-tettura pubblica fortemente radicata sul territorio. L’architettura delle biblioteche si è sempre evoluta in linea con i cambiamenti nel settore bibliotecario e nella società in genere. Un tempo, la biblioteca

Introduzione

pubblica era percepita come simbolo delle aspira-zioni sociali più progressiste; oggi assume invece la forma di un terreno comune esente da logiche commerciali in cui coltivare la libertà intellettuale e creativa. Uno spazio libero per imparare, creare e condividere. La biblioteca pubblica del 21° secolo è un ‘monumento popolare’: uno spazio pubblico non commerciale, aperto a tutti, gratuito, di proprietà comune e sempre disponibile.

La mostra esplora lo sviluppo dell’architettura bi-bliotecaria finlandese attraverso una serie di esempi architettonici, inquadrati nei rispettivi contesti storici e teorici di riferimento, e un’installazione che mette a disposizione uno spazio bibliotecario vero e proprio. Partendo dalla biblioteca pubblica di Rikhardinkatu del 1881, il primo edificio finlandese con questa specifica destinazione d’uso, la mostra sposta quindi lo sguardo sulle biblioteche del futuro, illustrando l’esempio recente della nuova Biblioteca centrale di Helsinki, progettata dallo studio ALA Architects, che verrà inaugurata nel dicembre 2018.

Anni Vartola

Curatrice

Mind-Building

Mind-Building

12 13

Plan of the exhibition: Architectural samples

Contents

① Hope and Pleasure 14Rikhardinkatu Library, Helsinki, 1881

Kallio Library, Helsinki, 1914

② Human Potential 30Viipuri Library, Vyborg, Russia, 1935

Töölö Library, Helsinki, 1970

③ Mating Calls 62Tampere Main Library Metso, 1986

④ L’Atalante 80Kuhmo Town Library, 1988

⑤ Option 4F 100Vallila Library, Helsinki, 1991

⑥ The Popular Monument 118⑦ The Library is Alive! 136

Joensuu City Library, 1992

⑧ Place making 152Raisio Library and Auditorium, 1999

Lohja Main Library, 2006

⑨ Soft Fulcrum 182Turku Main Library, 2007

Seinäjoki Main Library Apila, 2012Harald Herlin Learning Centre, Espoo, 2016

People make the Library 212Maunula Community Centre, Helsinki, 2017

Your Next Living Room 226Oodi Helsinki Central Library, 2018

Mind-Building 240Helsinki University Main Library Kaisa, 2012

Sello Library, Espoo, 2003

Hope and Pleasure

Rikhardinkatu Library Helsinki, 1881

Theodor Höijer

Kallio Library Helsinki, 1914

Karl Hård af Segerstad / Renovation by Valvomo Architects, 2017

Hope and Pleasure Hope and Pleasure

16 17

The first public libraries in Finland were financed by private fund-raising and patrons of the library institution. The library institution served a no-ble cause and their architecture was to reflect societal aspirations and a solemn belief in education. Although many of the old library buildings have become obsolete because of

their location or rigid spatial arrange-ments, equally many have been reno-vated to serve the functional needs of a modern library. Rikhardinkatu Li-brary and Kallio Library in Helsinki are examples of library architecture that has adapted to constant changes without losing the original, affecting atmosphere.


18 19

Le prime biblioteche pubbliche in Finlandia erano finanziate da rac-colte di fondi private e da mecenati dell’istituzione “biblioteca”, che era al servizio di una causa nobile, tanto che anche la relativa architettura era pensata per riflettere le aspirazioni della società e una fiducia solenne nell’importanza dell’istruzione. Ben-ché molti edifici delle vecchie biblio-teche siano divenuti ormai obsoleti a causa della loro posizione o della ri-

gidità della disposizione degli spazi, è anche vero che numerose strutture sono oggetto di ristrutturazione con l’obiettivo di soddisfare le esigenze funzionali di una biblioteca moderna. La Biblioteca di Rikhardinkatu e la Biblioteca di Kallio di Helsinki sono esempi di un’architettura specia-lizzata che è rimasta al passo con i continui cambiamenti, senza però rinunciare al fascino dell’atmosfera originale.


20 21

There is no way in which a man can build so secure and lasting a monument for himself as in a public library... The pyramids may forget

their builders but memorials such as this have longer memories.

— James Russell Lowell, American poet Address at the opening of Free Public Library

in Chelsea, MA, USA, 1885

Every man’s work should have some hope and pleasure always present in it.

Architecture has no prospects in civilisation unless change be brought about. For Art

breeds Art, and every worthy work done and delighted in by maker and user begets

a longing for more.

— William Morris, architect and theorist The Prospects of Architecture in Civilisation, 1881


22 23

Hope and Pleasure

24 25

Kallio Library

26 27

Kallio Library Kallio Library

What would you like to see when you enter the library?

In what way could the library be more attractive and make you to borrow more?

Is it easy for you to perceive what the library has to offer?In what services or matters do

you need help from the librarians?What services are easy for

you to handle yourself?Is it easy to have encounters with the library personnel?

— Questions for the participants of Kallio Library workshops, Valvomo Architects Ltd, 2017

Hope and Pleasure

28

26 27

Kallio LibraryKallio Library

What would you like to see when you enter the library?

In what way could the library be more attractive and make you to borrow more?

Is it easy for you to perceive what the library has to offer?In what services or matters do

you need help from the librarians?What services are easy for

you to handle yourself?Is it easy to have encounters with the library personnel?

— Questions for the participants of Kallio Library workshops, Valvomo Architects Ltd, 2017

Hope and Pleasure Rikhardinkatu Library / Kallio Library

28

Hope and Pleasure

24 25

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22 23

Façade design for Rikhardinkatu Library, the first public library in Helsinki. Theodor Höijer, 1908.

Kallio Library was opened in 1912 in the rapidly growing working-class district of Helsinki. Left: The organisation of the main library floor in the preliminary plan by Karl Hård af Segerstad, Helsinki City Architect, in 1909. Right: New plan by Valvomo Architects in 2017.

Advertisement for a film screening at the library. In January 2015, Kallio Library was the first library in Finland to introduce a LGBTQI bookshelf and a cultural programme for sexual minorities.

Young clients at Rikhardinkatu Library in 1924.p.22 © Museum of Finnish Architecturep.24 © Helsinki City Archivesp.25 Courtesy of Valvomo Architectsp.28 Photo: Eric Sundström (c) Helsinki City Museum

Rikhardinkatu Library / Kallio Library

Human Potential

Viipuri Library Vyborg, Russia, 1935

Alvar Aalto / Restoration by The Finnish Committee for the

Restoration of Viipuri Library and Mustonen Architects, 2014

Töölö Library Helsinki, 1970

Aarne Ervi / Restoration by

Mustonen Architects, 2016

Human Potential Human Potential

32 33

Viipuri Library became the ground- breaking project to international fame for Alvar Aalto and his office. The architectural competition was held in 1927 and the library was opened to public in 1935. The period from the first sketches to completion marks Alvar Aalto’s transition from classicism to functionalism. Viipuri Library was the first Finnish library with a dedicated children’s section and an open-access shelving system.

Töölö Library in Helsinki, de-signed by Aarne Ervi and completed in 1970, bears resemblance to the ar-chitecture of Aalto’s library. Equally ultramodern in its own context, it is also a white object in the park, and the flowing sequence of library spaces follows a logic similar to the one in Vyborg.

The design works for the recent restorations of both Viipuri Library in 2014 and Töölö Library in 2016 were led by architect Tapani Mustonen.


34 35

La Biblioteca di Viipuri ha rappresen-tato per Alvar Aalto e gli architetti del suo studio un progetto d’avanguar-dia, che li ha resi famosi in tutto il mondo. Il concorso di architettura risale al 1927, mentre la biblioteca è stata aperta al pubblico nel 1935. L’intervallo di tempo trascorso tra le prime bozze e il completamento del progetto segna la transizione di Al-var Aalto dal classicismo al funziona-lismo. La Biblioteca di Viipuri è stata la prima biblioteca in Finlandia con una sezione dedicata ai bambini e scaffalature ad accesso libero.

La Biblioteca di Töölö ad Helsinki, progettata da Aarne Ervi e portata a termine nel 1970, ricorda molto da vi-cino l’architettura della biblioteca di Aalto. Oltre a essere eccezionalmente moderna in relazione al contesto, si presenta anch’essa con una superficie bianca che risalta all’interno del parco, con gli spazi della biblioteca che si ar-ticolano in modo fluido, seguendo una logica simile a quella di Vyborg.

Il lavoro di progettazione per i re-centi restauri della Biblioteca di Vii-puri (2014) e della Biblioteca di Töölö (2016) sono stati diretti dall’archi-tetto Tapani Mustonen.


36 37

If we have a genuine and enthusiastic love of science and

literature, and if we work in their interest, we will lay a foundation for our national existence that no

human power can strip us of.

— J. V. Snellman, Fennoman philosopher and Finnish statesman Wall inscription in the working drawing of the Viipuri Library main

entrance by Alvar Aalto & Co, dated 2 December 1934

We do not want denizens in this state and this nation, we want citizens. We do not want

ward politics, but we do want government as our forefathers understood it. And it is the

duty of every right-minded citizen to work unfalteringly for this end. The question is

one of expediency. We want citizens. And the public school and the public library are the

places where citizens are made. Therefore, we must labour for and support these institutions first and foremost. To a very great extent, the librarian is the custodian of public morals

and the moulder of public men.

— Winston Churchill, British politician and statesman Mission of the Public Library, 1910

38 39

Viipuri Library Viipuri Library

Representation, floor plans, page 1 1:300

ARK 208 A109-02Helsinki

UL. SUVOROVA 4, 18890 VYBORG

WORKING DRAWINGName and address

THE FINNISH COMMITTEE FOR THE RESTORATION OF VIIPURI LIBRARYTiilimäki 20, 00330 HELSINKI Finland phone +358 9 480123 fax +358 9 485119,

Drawing subject Scale

MEASURES MUST BE CHECKED ON CONSTRUCTION SITE!

OFFICES

OFFICE CORRIDOR

READING HALLUPPER PART

LENDING HALL

TERRACE

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RESTROOMS

30.10.2014

2. FLOOR

1. FLOOR

2. FLOOR

- main stairs 4, railings reconstructed, stairs original- materials follow the original solution- starcase 1, windows restored- service starcase 2, soviet era railigs restored- terrace floor reconstructed- terrace stairs 14, partly restored, partly reconstructed

1. FLOOR

- the entrance facade reconstructed with soap stones as at theoriginal facade- entrace bronze doors reproduced- entrance hall and lecture hall reconstructed- wardrobe preserved at the sovietic period style- info-center enlanlarged a little from the original- new connection from the main entrance hall to the childrenslibrary, star 16- reading hall reconstructed, service counter restored as insoviet period- star 3 restored, railings reconstructed- lecture hall windows restored


42 43

When a real artist does his best, this is in itself a kind of guarantee

of good work. But history shows that to be allowed and able to do his best, an artist needs understanding

and sympathy for his efforts; in other words, a climate favourable to art. The more social the art –

and architecture is one of the most social of arts – the more collective the spirit, the participation of the environment and the whole epoch,

in the work it involves.

— Alvar Aalto, architect Iltalehti newspaper, 1921

44 45


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38 39

Viipuri LibraryViipuri Library


42 43

When a real artist does his best, this is in itself a kind of guarantee

of good work. But history shows that to be allowed and able to do his best, an artist needs understanding

and sympathy for his efforts; in other words, a climate favourable to art. The more social the art –

and architecture is one of the most social of arts – the more collective the spirit, the participation of the environment and the whole epoch,

in the work it involves.

— Alvar Aalto, architect Iltalehti newspaper, 1921

44 45


46 47


48 49



50 51

Photo of the lending library after the World War II bombings in 1941.

Alvar Aalto’s sketch for the ground floor plan, 1929.

Ground floor and roof level in the restoration plans by Mustonen Architects, 2014.

Detail sketch for the book cart and the clock, 1933–35.

Interior sketch and working drawing for the special reading room desks with lamps and the reading area railing, 1933–35.

Sound study of the lecture hall, 1933–35.

Study of the reading room skylights from 1933–35 and photo from the lending library towards the reading room after the restoration.

Töölö Library

52 53

Töölö LibraryTöölö Library

56 57

Töölö LibraryTöölö Library


54 55


58 59

60

Töölö LibraryViipuri Library

Ground floor and first floor plans of Töölö Library, originally designed by Aarne Ervi and restorated by Mustonen Architects, 2017.

The library hall in its original state in the 1970s.

Töölö Library had one of the first modern music libraries. Photo from the 1970s and Aarne Ervi’s design for the music library couch.

Töölö Library is a white object in the park. Aerial view in 1976.

Töölö Library staircase with a skylight.

p.38–48 © Alvar Aalto Museum p.49 Photo: Petri Neuvonenp.50 © SA-kuva / Finnish Wartime Photograph Archivep.52–53 Courtesy of the architects p.54–56, 60 Photo: Teuvo Kanerva © Museum of Finnish Architecturep.57 © Museum of Finnish Architecturep.58 Photo: SKY-foto Möller © Helsinki City Museum

Mating Calls

Tampere Main Library Metso, 1986

Raili and Reima Pietilä

Mating Calls Mating Calls

64 65

Reima and Raili Pietilä’s entry for the Tampere Main Library architectural competition, held in 1979, was titled “Cooing Images”. The sculptural, an-thropomorphic forms of the design were derived from the bird species Tetrao urogallus, the black grouse, in Finnish ‘metso’, which is associated with strong mythological powers in Finnish folklore.

The Pietiläs’ original, organic ar-chitecture created much controversy within the professional circles, and the new library building was widely considered too eccentric, costly and self-referential. Today, Metso Li-brary has become a symbol and a much-loved landmark in the city of Tampere.


66 67

Il progetto con cui Reima e Raili Pie-tilä hanno partecipato al concorso di architettura del 1979 per la Bi-blioteca Principale di Tampere era intitolato “Cooing Images”. Le sue forme antropomorfe e scultoree de-rivano dalla specie di uccelli Tetrao urogallus, il gallo cedrone, che in fin-landese si chiama “metso” ed è una figura particolarmente rilevante nel folclore del paese scandinavo.

L’architettura di Reima e Raili Pie-tilä, originale e organica, è stata og-getto di notevoli controversie negli ambienti professionali, con il nuovo edificio della biblioteca che viene spesso ritenuto troppo eccentrico, costoso e autoreferenziale. Oggi la Metso Biblioteca è divenuta il sim-bolo della città di Tampere, nonché un vero e proprio punto di riferimento.


68 69

There is currently a desire to restore the special symbolic status held by

public buildings in relation to other urban structures. As a public building,

a library should also stand out from its surroundings (...) Libraries are

not merely collections of buildings that house collections – library buildings embody much wider cultural, social and socio-psychological dimensions.

— Hanna Aaltonen and Joni Carlson, librarians Suomalaista kirjastoarkkitehtuuria

[Finnish Library Architecture], 1986

As architecture, the style of the library building and the message it expresses should

speak to people in the same spirit as the literature and poetry on the shelves speak to them as an art. Thus it is not enough

for a library building to function perfectly like machine or an industrial plant.

Its architecture should also reflect and correspond organically to the spirit of the library and the cultural ambitions that it

represents among the community building it.

— Tampere Main Library architectural competition, Jury Report, 1979


70 71

Some possible guidelines for architecture?

1. Society – re-understood as a global system of human interdependence

2. Technology – its re-use to restore our vital material resources

3. Culture – architecture as a visual communication – its language

function restored – a history course in architecture: re-education

to understand the past

4. The “New Possible” — or what are our present options? – an accumulated

potential in architectural expressions and design”

I expect that architecture can begin to come again; to be innovative in the

way it was in the early 20ies.

— Reima Pietilä, architect Alvar Aalto Symposium, 1979

Pietilä’s library will become way too expensive. A simple box would have been quite sufficient. Even the expensive plot has been used inefficiently. Tax revenues should really not be splurged like this.

— Comment in Aamulehti newspaper, 16 June 1985

72 73

Tampere Main Library Metso Tampere Main Library Metso


74 75


76 77

78 79

Tampere Main Library Metso Tampere Main Library Metso

80

7372

Tampere Main Library MetsoTampere Main Library Metso

78 79

Tampere Main Library MetsoTampere Main Library Metso


74 75

80

Mating CallsTampere Main Library Metso


76 77

Ground floor plan of Tampere Main Library Metso and Reima Pietilä’s studies of the black grouse, presumably in 1978. Aerial photo of the library in the centre of Tampere.

The library hall dome is supported by concrete ribs.

Working drawing of the book cart, 1985.

Main entrance of the library.

Architects Raili and Reima Pietilä at the newly opened Metso Library.

p.72–73, 78 © Museum of Finnish Architecturep.74, 80 Photo: Jyrki Nisonen © Tampere Library Collectionsp.76 Photo: Simo Rista © Museum of Finnish Architecture

Tampere Main Library Metso Mating Calls

L’AtalanteKuhmo Town Library, 1988Jyrki Tasa / Architects NRT

L’Atalante L’Atalante

84 85

Kuhmo Library was built on the ba-sis of the winning entry in an open ar-chitectural competition held in 1984. The motto of the entry was ‘Atalante’ derived from Jean Vigo’s 1934 film L’Atalante. Architect Jyrki Tasa has explained his choice for the motto describing that, like the river barge in the film, the new library delivers its cargo of knowledge and art to the town of Kuhmo. Kuhmo Library is one of the few postmodernist library buildings in Finland.

La Biblioteca di Kuhmo è stata realiz-zata a seguito del successo ottenuto nel 1984 in occasione di un concorso di architettura a iscrizione libera. Il tema del progetto di partecipazione al concorso era ’Atalante’, con riferi-mento al film di Jean Vigo del 1934 L’Atalante. L’architetto Jyrki Tasa ha illustrato la scelta del tema spiegando che, proprio come la chiatta nel film, anche la nuova biblioteca consegna il suo carico di arte e conoscenze alla città di Kuhmo. La Biblioteca di Kuhmo è una delle poche biblioteche postmoderne presenti in Finlandia.


86 87

Architecture was one of the first disciplines to go into crisis when faced with the new needs and desires of postmodern society.

The reason for this precociousness is simple. Given its direct incidence on daily life,

architecture could not elude the practical verification of its users. Modern architecture has thus been judged by its natural product: the modern city, the suburbs without quality, the urban environment devoid of collective values that has become an asphalt jungle

and a dormitory; the loss of local character, of the connection with the place: the terrible homologation that has made the outskirts of the cities of the whole world similar to one

another, and whose inhabitants have a hard time recognising an identity of their own.

— Paolo Portoghesi, architectural historian and architect Postmodern: The Architecture of the Postindustrial Society, 1983

Architecture is at a stage of development in which diversity is a fact, a stage in which the techno-

physical phase of Modernism has become a new information psychology phase, and architecture a mosaic lacking great ideals. Modernity demands

a personal stance, an individual rendering of the phenomena of the age, a handwriting.

Architecture draws its strength from searching for the new, from optimism about the future.

Optimism is not easy these days. Analysis of the situation and idealistic passion for solving things will carry us through the present transition stage,

however. A tolerant and inspiring atmosphere is essential in order to create an architecture

energised by the zeitgeist of today yet transcending the limits of times, an architecture that speaks to

people and brings them joy.

— Jyrki Tasa, architect Finnish Architectural Review, 1990


88 89

90 91

1 entrance lobby 2 newspaper reading room 3 café 4 children’s reference library and story corner 5 children’s multipurpose area 6 children’s section 7 adult section 8 adult reference library 9 music section 10 lending and returns 11 staff facilities 12 bookmobile loading bay

Kuhmo Town Library Kuhmo Town Library


92 93

94 95


96 97


98

L’Atalante


88 89

90 91

1. entrance lobby 2. newspaper reading room 3. café 4. children’s reference library and story corner 6. children’s section 7. adult section 8. adult reference library 9. music section 10. lending and returns 11. staff facilities 12. bookmobile loading bay

Kuhmo Town LibraryKuhmo Town Library

96 97



92 93

98

L’AtalanteKuhmo Town Library

94 95


Aerial view towards Kuhmo Town Library, designed by Jyrki Tasa, in the wooded landscape of the Kainuu region in eastern Finland.

The library spaces are arranged along a “library way” that runs alongside the long core wall forming the central axis of the building. Ground floor plan.

The children’s section ceiling was designed to resemble a starry night sky. A view towards Kuhmo Church opens from the oval space. The staircase to the balcony is cone shaped.

Detail of the façade outside the main library hall. p.88 Courtesy of the architectsp.90 © Architects NRTp.92, 96–98 Photo: Jyrki Tasa © Architects NRTp.94–95 Photo: Antti Luutonen © Architects NRT

View towards the main entrance.

View towards the library hall from the lobby area. Kuhmo Library is a total work of art. The rich detailing, lamps and many of the furniture are designed by the architects.

Kuhmo Town Library

Option 4FVallila Library Helsinki, 1991

Juha Leiviskä, Asta Björklund /

Vilhelm Helander, Juha Leiviskä Architects

Option 4F Option 4F

102 103

Vallila Library is, according to archi-tect Juha Leiviskä, the first building where he succeeded in embodying his ideas of the freedom of architec-tural form. The small, humble library and its neighbouring kindergarten are placed on a small plot within the historically protected wooden hous-ing area Puu-Vallila. In the early plans, the library was proposed to be situated in a more central location along the main street. According to Juha Leiviskä, the final site was not his first choice but “option 4F”.

The focal point of the interior is what the architect calls ‘the piazza’, the highest space of the building. Leiviskä has had a lifelong interest and passion for Baroque architec-ture. Other themes that are associ-ated with his architecture are the use of space as an instrument for light, harmonic systems of music, and the principles of humanity.

Option 4F Option 4F

104 105

La Biblioteca di Vallila, secondo l’ar-chitetto Juha Leiviskä, è il primo edi-ficio in cui è riuscito a dare corpo alle sue idee sulla libertà della forma ar-chitettonica. La biblioteca, minuta e modesta, e il vicino giardino per l’in-fanzia si trovano su un piccolo appez-zamento all’interno del quartiere di Puu-Vallila, una zona residenziale in legno protetta dal punto di vista sto-

rico. Gli interni convergono in quella che l’architetto stesso definisce ”la piazza”, ossia il punto più alto dell’edi-ficio. L’interesse e la passione di Lei-viskä per l’architettura barocca dura ormai da una vita. Altri temi associati alla sua architettura sono l’uso dello spazio come strumento di illumina-zione, le armonie musicali e i principi di umanità.

Option 4F Option 4F

106 107

Some foreign librarians say that aesthetics dominate functionality

in Finnish library buildings. Huge numbers of loans and users certainly

demand efficient and effective facilities, but library activity is cultural as well

as practical. The library must be dynamic and alive, while yet offering

scope for thought both to settle in peace and to soar in delight.

— Riitta Packalén, library director Ten Finnish Libraries, 1994

In Finland particularly, there is a profound understanding of how to bring the fleeting but often intense northern sunlight into the heart of buildings with great subtlety and variety:

this has been a characteristic of Finnish architecture since Aalto’s ‘30s work...

A polyglot people, the Finns are usually happy to converse in the common European

tongues. But when the going gets really difficult, when they really want to think

deeply on a problem, they talk to each other in Finnish, completely impenetrable to the outsider. Long may they continue like this, for by doing so they gather strength to make buildings of such integrity and humanity that architects everywhere else are caused

to ponder their own work, and the whole art of architecture – a remarkable achievement for the few people who design buildings in a

small nation set on the rim of the world.

— Peter Davey, editor The Architectural Review, 1990

Option 4F

108 109

Vallila Library

Motto: Almost indispensable: a house, in which one is inside, is simultaneously

seen from the outside.

— Juha Leiviskä, architect Finnish Architectural Review, 1992

Option 4F Option 4F

110 111

Option 4F Option 4F

112 113

114 115

Vallila Library Vallila Library

116

Option 4F

A crisp edge nails the building down in the overall scheme of things far more efficiently than a rounded

corner. An appearance of lightness requires an edge which can be caught

by the light, so that light and shade work as powerfully as possible.

— Juha Leiviskä, architect An Architectural Monologue,

Autobiographical Fragments, 1999

Vallila Library

Option 4F

108 109

Vallila Library

Motto: Almost indispensable: a house, in which one is inside, is simultaneously

seen from the outside.

— Juha Leiviskä, architect The Finnish Architectural Review, 1992

Option 4F Option 4F

110 111

Option 4F Option 4F

112 113

114 115

Vallila LibraryVallila Library

116

Vallila Library Option 4F

Site plan of the Vallila Library and Day-care Centre by Juha Leiviskä.

Floorplan with the library on the left.

The common courtyard of the library (on the front) and the day-care centre.

Library hall with the adjoining high ‘piazza’, which was originally the reference library. An ink painting of the Baroque library of Schußenried Monastery by architect Jyrki Latikka.

Construction site photographed by the architects. p.109–110 Courtesy of Juha Leiviskä © Vilhelm Helander, Juha Leiviskä Architectsp.112–114 Photo: Simo Rista © Vilhelm Helander, Juha Leiviskä Architectsp.115 Courtesy of Juha Leiviskäp.116 © Vilhelm Helander, Juha Leiviskä Architects

The Popular Monument

The Popular Monument The Popular Monument

120 121

Even the smallest town is proud of their library. This collection of post-cards and PR material tells about the affection between the library building and the local community that uses it and sees it as an integral part of their environmental identity. The essence of library architecture is not about providing the library institution with a building. As writes Sigfried Gie-dion, the renowned advocate of the Modern Movement, modern monu-mentality means buildings for people to love and cherish.

Anche la cittadina più piccola è orgo-gliosa della propria biblioteca. Que-sta raccolta di cartoline e di materiale promozionale testimonia il forte le-game sentimentale tra la biblioteca e la comunità locale, che la vede come parte integrante della propria iden-tità ambientale. L’essenza dell’archi-tettura delle biblioteche non si esau-risce nella realizzazione di un edificio fisico: come scrive Sigfried Giedion, noto sostenitore del Movimento Mo-derno, la monumentalità moderna implica che le persone si prendano veramente cura degli edifici.


122 123


124 125


126 127

The people want buildings representing their social, ceremonial and community life. They want their buildings to be more than a

functional fulfilment. They seek the expression of their aspirations for monumentality, for joy and excitement... Monumentality

derives from the eternal need of the people to own symbols which reveal their inner life, their actions and their social conceptions... Community life is closely connected with a

sense for relaxation, with the urge for another vivifying influence beside the job and the family, an influence capable of expanding

men’s narrow private existence. No civilization has existed which did not fulfil the

irrepressible longing for institutions where such a kind of broader life could develop.

— Sigfried Giedion, architecture historian and critic The Need for a New Monumentality, 1948


128 129


130 131


132 133


134 135

Postcards depicting Kouvola Main Library (Juhani Kivikoski, 1971), Kuopio City Library (Matti Hakala, 1967), Oulu City Library (Marjatta and Martti Jaatinen, 1962–1982) and the Ylöjärvi church, market and library (Tero Harjunniemi, 2002).

Postcards depicting the former Tampere Central Library (Jussi and Toivo Paatela, 1925), Rovaniemi City Library (Alvar Aalto, 1965) and Karvia Municipal Library, text: “Best wishes from Karvia” (Jyrki Jääskeläinen, 1993).

Postcards depicting Tampere Main Library Metso (Raili and Reima Pietilä, 1978–1986).

The Library is Alive!Joensuu City Library, 1992

Tuomo Siitonen, Tuomas Wichmann / Helin & Siitonen Architects

The Library is Alive! The Library is Alive!

138 139

The architecture of Joensuu Library fuses postmodern urban conscious-ness of the 1980s with neofunction-alist aesthetic ideals of the early 1990s – the building is a result of an architectural competition held in 1981. The library building adapts to the scale of the town and contributes to the local, closed nature of urban space, but it is not afraid to take its role as an important public building with symbolic value. The open li-brary landscape is like a miniature city with passageways and bookshelf blocks under a high-flying roof.

L’architettura della Biblioteca di Jo-ensuu fonde la consapevolezza ur-bana postmoderna degli anni ‘80 con gli ideali estetici neofunzionali-sti dei primi anni ‘90. L’edificio è il ri-sultato di un concorso di architettura che si è tenuto nel 1981. La biblio-teca si adatta alle dimensioni della città e alla natura chiusa e centraliz-zata dello spazio urbano, ma ciono-nostante non disdegna di assumere il ruolo di importante edificio pub-blico con un forte valore simbolico. Il paesaggio della biblioteca aperta si presenta come una città in miniatura, con corridoi e blocchi di scaffalature al di sotto di un alto tetto.

The Library is Alive!

140 141

“A thousand times better”“Spatious”

“Full of light” “Super”

“Factory-like” “Functional”

— Comments in Karjalainen newspaper, 21 July 1992


Architecturally, it’s hard to imagine a more fascinating subject than libraries. They have

always posed some of the most interesting challenges for architects, with the result that many of the greatest buildings in the history

of architecture are libraries... Apart from the church and town hall, the library is almost

always the visual focal point of a city or town.

— Pentti Kareoja, architect Ten Finnish Libraries, 1994

142 143

Joensuu City Library Joensuu City Library


144 145

146

Joensuu City Library

148 149

Joensuu City Library Joensuu City Library

150



142 143


144 145

146


148 149

Joensuu City LibraryJoensuu City Library

150

The Library is Alive!Joensuu City Library

In 1992, the citizens of Joensuu symbolically carried the library books to their new library building. The text on the banner says: ”The library is alive!”. Article in the Karjalainen newspaper.

The courtyard side of the library.

The main entrance on the street side and the site plan showing the library in the urban structure of Joensuu.

Reading room in the ground floor and adult’s lending section in the first floor.

Adult’s lending section and reading area.

p.142 Photo: Matti Piiroinen © Karjalainen. Courtesy of Joensuu City Library Archivesp.144–146, 148– 150 Photo: Jussi Tiainen, Courtesy of Tuomo Siitonen Architectsp.147 Courtesy of Tuomo Siitonen Architects


Place makingRaisio Library and Auditorium, 1999

Hannu Tikka / Artto Kaijansinkko Palo Rossi Tikka Architects

Lohja Main Library, 2006

Ilmari Lahdelma / Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects

Place making Place making

154 155

In 1985, a new law enabled state sub-sidies and loans for building and ren-ovating schools and public libraries. As a result, the 1990s witnessed an unforeseen number of new libraries built all over Finland.

Together with the libraries of Kuhmo and Joensuu, Raisio Library and Lohja Main Library, both results of an open architectural competition (1995 and 2002), are examples of the library boom and library architec-ture where the new building was ex-pected to highlight, heal or finalise the existing townscape.

The setting in Raisio was in a scat-tered and uninspiring urban struc-

ture, whereas in Lohja, the central but narrow library plot was amidst the local cultural, educational and ad-ministrative buildings.

Lohja Main Library was finalised according to the architect’s plans, more or less. In Raisio, however, the city gave little support to the ar-chitect during the design stage and many rounds of cost-cuttings were required. There was profound mis-trust between the architect and the client. The architectural goals were only achieved after the contractor stepped in and convinced the client of the library’s architectural merits.


156 157

Nel 1985 è stata introdotta una nuova legge che permetteva l’elargizione di prestiti e sovvenzioni statali a favore della costruzione e della ristruttura-zione di scuole e biblioteche pubbli-che. Da quando questa legge è entrata in vigore, negli anni ‘90 sono state re-alizzate una miriade di nuove bibliote-che in ogni zona della Finlandia.

Insieme alle biblioteche di Kuhmo e Joensuu, troviamo anche la Biblio-teca di Raisio e la Biblioteca Princi-pale di Lohja, entrambe presentate in occasione di concorsi di architettura a iscrizione libera (1995 e 2002), un perfetto esempio del boom nel settore delle biblioteche, che ha visto la rea-lizzazione di nuovi edifici pensati per

valorizzare o completare il paesaggio cittadino già esistente.

Mentre la biblioteca di Lohja è stata portata a termine più o meno in linea con le idee dell’architetto, a Raisio la città ha fatto mancare il proprio soste-gno all’architetto durante la fase pro-gettuale, e in questo senso si sono resi necessari numerosi provvedimenti per la riduzione dei costi. Tra l’archi-tetto e il committente non si è stabilito un rapporto di fiducia, ed è stato pos-sibile raggiungere gli obiettivi proget-tuali solo grazie all’intervento dell’ap-paltatore, che è riuscito a illustrare al committente tutti i pregi della biblio-teca dal punto di vista architettonico.


158 159

The library of the future will be:

1) a guide to the stairs of knowledge (an educational institute)

2) a bastion of reading (a cultural institution)

3) a video distribution point (a leisure-time establishment)

4) an information safety catch (an information service centre)

5) a remote working centre, telecottage (an engine room for the people)

6) an IT centre (a mediatheque)

7) a virtual library node (a library without walls)

8) a civic centre

— Library Building of the Future research report, 1996

The goal of the competition was to find a scheme combining architectural excellence, functionality and financial viability that would complement the

townscape and provide a feasible basis for further development. The building

should be both inviting and representative of its status in the townscape. Particular

attention was to be paid to the needs of elderly library users and children as well as the requirements of the modern information society. The new library

building was to be planned as an integral part of the area’s “cultural campus”. The old stone church nearby brings a strong

historical dimension to the location. The library is, above all, a place of meeting.

It is a centre for learning and local information services.

— Open architectural competition for Lohja Main Library, Jury Report, 2003

160 161

1. The goals for architectural quality were set very high when preparing the competition entry.2. The architectural quality of the realisation did not reach the desired level.A Disappointment due to the incompleteness of the competition entry.B Euphoria triggered by the winning first prize in the competition.C Start of design and first round of costings. The client’s mistrust becomes apparent.D Positive impact on costs and the design atmosphere caused by changes in the design.E The client’s disbelief of the design work increases. The architect declares to resign.F A positive process is restored when a high-quality contractor is commissioned.

DIAGRAM OF THE DESIGN WORK ATMOSPHERE AS EXPERIENCED BY THE CHIEF ARCHITECT

SKETCHING (L1) DESIGNING (T1) BUILDING (T2)

ARCHITECTURE

SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

SATISFACTORY OUTCOME

FAILURE

COM

PETI

TION

DE

ADLI

NE

COM

PETI

TION

RE

SULT

BUIL

DING

PE

RMIT

CONS

TRUC

TION

ST

ARTS

CONS

TRUC

TION

EN

DS

CATEGORISATION OF RISK FACTORS AS EXPERIENCED BY THE CHIEF ARCHITECT

1–3 The factors with a negative impact on the design work.1 The client’s mistrust towards the chief architect.2 The budget was unrealistic. In addition, the competition

entry exceeded the cost limits set in the objectives.3 The negative impact of costings in the design process

increased the client’s mistrust towards the architects. 4 The ambition for the level of architectonic quality according to the chief architect.5 The quality level of the realised architecture according to the chief architect.

STIFF PROCESS

THREATHS

Client

Users

Contractor

Building control

authority

Cost estimator

Budget

INTUITIVE KNOWLEDGE

Political decisions

OBJECTIVE KNOWLEDGE

Legislation Statutes Regulations

DREAM

FLEXIBLE PROCESS

Architectural design

Interior design

Structural design

Technical engineering

Electrical engineering

Land-use planning

162 163

Raisio Library Raisio Library

164 165



166 167


168 169

170 171


Raisio is generally thought of as an ugly town that you barely remember on the way to Turku, Naantali or Kustavi ... Yet such a starting point may also have its merits, as an unsatisfactory

architectural environment gives an architect relatively free hands and provides a blank canvas for bold solutions. And it is precisely this opportunity that Tikka has

seized. In contrast to an ordinary building, Raisio’s new library is a colourful and sculptural collage that both stands out from and fits into its surroundings – luckily.

— Juha Jääskeläinen, architect, critic The Finnish Architectural Review, 1999

172 173

Lohja Library Lohja Library

174 175


176 177


178 179


180

160 161

1. The goals for architectural quality were set very high when preparing the competition entry.

2. The architectural quality of the realisation did not reach the desired level.

A Disappointment due to the incompleteness of the competition entry.

B Euphoria triggered by the winning first prize in the competition.

C Start of design and first round of costings. The client’s mistrust becomes apparent.

D Positive impact on costs and the design atmosphere caused by changes in the design.

E The client’s disbelief of the design work increases. The architect declares to resign.

F A positive process is restored when a high-quality contractor is commissioned.

DIAGRAM OF THE DESIGN WORK ATMOSPHERE AS EXPERIENCED BY THE CHIEF ARCHITECT CATEGORISATION OF RISK FACTORS AS EXPERIENCED BY THE CHIEF ARCHITECT

SKETCHING (L1) DESIGNING (T1) BUILDING (T2)

ARCHITECTURE

SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

SATISFACTORY OUTCOME

FAILURE

COM

PETI

TION

DE

ADLI

NE

COM

PETI

TION

RE

SULT

BUIL

DING

PE

RMIT

CONS

TRUC

TION

ST

ARTS

CONS

TRUC

TION

EN

DS

1–3 The factors with a negative impact on the design work.

1 The client’s mistrust towards the chief architect.

2 The budget was unrealistic. In addition, the competition

entry exceeded the cost limits set in the objectives.

3 The negative impact of costings in the design process

increased the client’s mistrust towards the architects.

4 The ambition for the level of architectonic quality according to the chief architect.

5 The quality level of the realised architecture according to the chief architect.

STIFF PROCESS

THREATHS

Client

Users

Contractor

Building control

authority

Cost estimator

Budget

INTUITIVE KNOWLEDGE

Political decisions

OBJECTIVE KNOWLEDGE

Legislation Statutes Regulations

DREAM

FLEXIBLE PROCESS

Architectural design

Interior design

Structural design

Technical engineering

Electrical engineering

Land-use planning

162 163

Raisio LibraryRaisio Library

164 165



166 167


168 169

170 171


Raisio is generally thought of as an ugly town that you barely remember on the way to Turku, Naantali or Kustavi ... Yet such a starting point may also have its merits, as an unsatisfactory

architectural environment gives an architect relatively free hands and provides a blank canvas for bold solutions. And it is precisely this opportunity that Tikka has

seized. In contrast to an ordinary building, Raisio’s new library is a colourful and sculptural collage that both stands out from and fits into its surroundings – luckily.

— Juha Jääskeläinen, architect, critic The Finnish Architectural Review, 1999

Left: Diagram of the design work atmosphere as experienced by the chief architect. Right: Categorisation of risk factors, case Raisio Library, according to the chief architect.

Sketches for the competition entry by Hannu Tikka, 1995.

Hannu Tikka’s competition sketch and the realised façade towards the main road.

The building complex curves around a green area.

Adult section before furnishing with loan and return desks to the right.


Raisio Library

174 175

Lohja LibraryLohja Library

176 177


180

Lohja LibraryRaisio Library

178 179


172 173


Aerial view of the Lohja Main Library by Ilmari Lahdelma, 2006, with the medieval stone church of Lohja in the background. Ilmari Lahdelma’s sketch for the facade.

Ground floor (below) and first floor plans.


Library hall. The medieval stone church takes part in the atmosphere.

The glass wall of the gable towards the main road is decorated with silk-screened proverbs from the local folklore.

p. 160–161 Courtesy of Hannu Tikka © Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architectsp. 162–164 © Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architects p. 164–166 Photo: Voitto Niemelä © Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architects p. 168–170 Photo: Jari Jetsonen © Artto Palo Rossi Tikka Architectsp. 172 Courtesy of Ilmari Lahdelma © Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architectsp. 173–175 © Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architectsp. 176 Photo: Voitto Niemelä © Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architectsp. 178–180 Photo: Jussi Tiainen © Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects

Lohja Library

Soft Fulcrum

Turku Main Library, 2007

JKMM Architects

Seinäjoki Main Library Apila, 2012

JKMM Architects

Harald Herlin Learning Centre Espoo, 2016

Alvar Aalto, 1970 / Renovation by Architects NRT and JKMM Architects

Soft Fulcrum Soft Fulcrum

184 185

The turn of the new millennium was the moment of entry for many young Finnish architectural practices. One of the newcomers was JKMM Ar-chitects whose approach was fresh and free of prejudice and who gained unforeseen success in architectural competitions.

The extension for the Turku Main Library, a competition win from 1998, took its place as a public space in the city structure with boldness and dignity. The new Apila building for the Seinäjoki City Library is in dia-logue with Alvar Aalto’s iconic cul-

tural centre respectfully but with for-ward-looking ease. The open-minded work with the refurbishment of the former Helsinki University of Tech-nology Main Library by Alvar Aalto turned the old book storages into a joyful meeting place and multi-pur-pose self-learning facilities.

The libraries of the early 2000s left old ideologies behind. The new role of the library was to act as a soft ful-crum, a self-confident central point to leverage the intellectual life of its community.


186 187

Con il nuovo millennio hanno fatto la loro comparsa sulla scena molti nuovi studi di architettura finlandesi. Lo studio JKMM Architects, in partico-lare, ha portato una ventata di novità e ha ottenuto un successo sorpren-dente nei concorsi di architettura.

L’ampliamento della Biblioteca Principale di Turku, effettuato a se-guito di un concorso del 1998, ha as-sunto con audacia e dignità il ruolo di spazio pubblico all’interno del pa-esaggio urbano. Il nuovo edificio Apila per la Biblioteca della Citta di Seinäjoki richiama il centro culturale di Alvar Aalto, vera e propria icona

della città, rispettandone lo spirito ma reinterpretandolo in chiave avveniri-stica. L’approccio innovativo adottato in occasione della ristrutturazione della biblioteca di Alvar Aalto ha tra-sformato i vecchi depositi di libri in un gioioso luogo d’incontro e in una struttura multifunzionale dedicata all’autoapprendimento.

Le biblioteche dei primi anni 2000 si sono lasciate definitivamente alle spalle le vecchie ideologie. Nel suo nuovo ruolo, la biblioteca è sempre più al centro di tutto, vera e propria fucina di opportunità per la vita intel-lettuale della comunità.


188 189

The main library’s task is to provide citizens with both the information and mental

stimulation they need at various stages of their lives, via services

related to the library’s collections and their use. The library will

also support readers and help keep reading alive, act as a meeting

place, and be an enabler of learning and new insight.

— Open architectural competition for Turku Main Library, Jury Report, 1999

A modern library needs to respond to the challenges of current and future communications. At the

same time, the library institution has a long and worthy legacy as a place where information is stored and cherished. The architect has to confront these opposites and

somehow combine them.

— Asmo Jaaksi, architect, JKMM Architects The Library of Our Dreams, 2012


190 191

Once upon a time there was a great and beautiful land: Hiddenland. It had places like

Echo Mountain and Vibrant Valley, and happy little streams flowed through the valley. The blue

sea wind blew through the Labyrinth Islands, weaving over the towns and villages, and the inhabitants of Hiddenland were jolly donkeys and diligent doggies and kind kittens. They

lived in their little homes and flew cheery kites, and worked in donkey fields and dog kennels and kitty weaving rooms, and every Sunday

they all gathered in their rulers’ castle grounds and played beautiful songs on the guitar for

the Donkey Prince and Donkey Princess, and everyone wore a straw hat, until ...

— Lea Pennanen, Piilomaan pikku aasi [The Little Donkey of the Hiddenland], Otava 1968

The renovation of the learning centre has succeeded in upgrading and modernising the building to meet today’s needs by boldly introducing novel ideas while challenging and yet respecting the original design of the building. In my view, the outcome is

allegorical of the ongoing dramatic transition driven by rapidly evolving technology and digitalisation. Our capacity for renewal is

being tested in all areas of life.

— Reijo Karhinen, President and CEO of OP Financial Group Finlandia Prize for Architecture, 2017


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Turku Main Library Turku Main Library


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Seinäjoki Main Library Apila Seinäjoki Main Library Apila

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MATTO, VÄRI: 081 (VAAL.PUN.) YLÄSYVENNYS:MATTO, VÄRI: 463 (TIILENPUN.)

MATTO, VÄRI: 810 (TUMMANPUN.) MATTO, VÄRI: 463 (TIILENPUN.) MATTO, VÄRI: 364 (ORANSSI) MATTO, VÄRI: 081 (VAAL.PUN.) MATTO, VÄRI: 463 (TIILENPUN.) MATTO, VÄRI: 810 (TUMMANPUN.)

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MATTO, VÄRI: 081 (VAAL.PUN.) YLÄSYVENNYS:MATTO, VÄRI: 463 (TIILENPUN.)

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The competition brief for the Turku Main Library underlined the architectural challenges of fitting the new building with the existing historical layers. The motto of JKMM’s entry was “Chiaroscuro”.

The arrangement of the children’s section was inspired by the childrens’ book Piilomaan pikku aasi. Within the bookshelf blocks there are hidden reading spaces.

The concrete ceiling folds out high above the lending section. A view towards the Lakeuden Risti Church by Alvar Aalto opens through the full width and height glass wall.

Modern furniture classics take part in creating the serene atmosphere. The façades communicate the library’s calm presence in the Turku cityscape. The chief architect was Asmo Jaaksi.

Curtain design titled Fairy Tail Forest for the children’s section. The interior architect was Päivi Meuronen of JKMM Architects.

The Seinäjoki Main Library Apila by JKMM Architects is a new addition to Alvar Aalto’s famous composition for the Seinäjoki cultural centre. Aalto Library to the left. Below: Asmo Jaaksi’s sketches searching the form.

The stairs function as an auditorium. The library is connected to the old Aalto Library via an underground passage. Design for the wall-mounted reading nooks by interior architect Päivi Meuronen.

Turku Main Library

208 209

210

206 207

Harald Herlin Learning CentreHarald Herlin Learning Centre

In 2016, the former Helsinki University of Technology Main Library by Alvar Aalto (1970) was renovated to Harald Herlin Learning Centre. The first floor library spaces were meticulously restored by Architects NRT.

The intermediate floor of the basement book storages was demolished and the space was converted into a multi-purpose self-learning facility. The interior architect in charge was Päivi Meuronen of JKMM.

Reading nooks in the new learning centre. The restoration of the library and transformation to Harald Herlin Learning Centre won the Finlandia Prize for Architecture in 2017.p. 192 Photo: Jonny Holmén © JKMM Architectsp. 194 Photo: Patrik Rastenberger © JKMM Architectsp. 195 Photo: Michael Perlmutter © JKMM Architectsp. 196, 201, 203 Courtesy of Päivi Meuronen © JKMM Architectsp. 198, 200 Photo: Mika Huisman © JKMM Architectsp. 198 © JKMM Architectsp. 202–210 Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo © JKMM Architects

Seinäjoki Main Library Apila / Harald Herlin Learning Centre

People Make the Library

Maunula Community Centre, Helsinki, 2017

K2S Architects

People Make the Library People Make the Library

214 215

Maunula is located in the northern suburbs of Helsinki. The area has suffered from social problems due to high unemployment rate, large number of low income families and challenges of immigrant integration. Maunula Community Centre houses a library, a youth centre and adult education premises. The design process and the architects’ working methods piloted local democracy championed by the City of Helsinki. The architects organised multiple workshops to gather information and to discuss the design principles and the organisation of spaces with the client organisations, Maunula resi-dents and future users.

La zona di Maunula, nei sobborghi a nord di Helsinki, è particolarmente problematica a causa dell’elevato tasso di disoccupazione, dell’alto nu-mero di famiglie a basso reddito e delle difficoltà di integrazione con gli immigrati. Il Maunula Commu-nity Centre ospita una biblioteca, un centro per i giovani e strutture sco-lastiche per adulti. La progettazione e i metodi di lavoro degli architetti hanno favorito lo sviluppo delle isti-tuzioni democratiche locali, con il so-stegno del comune di Helsinki. Gli architetti hanno infatti organizzato numerosi workshop con i commit-tenti, con i residenti di Maunula e con i futuri utenti.


216 217

A library can only hold the right place in the community when it has connections to all

segments of the population and subcultures. Only then will it be able to pass on knowledge to society as a whole and all of its members – every new customer will encounter something

familiar and feel that the library is meant for them too ... A library for the whole nation does not have the moral right to leave out a literary subculture with a large reader base

that mainly consists of young people and those of limited means.

— Timo Kukkola, librarian Kirjaston paikka yhteiskunnassa

[The Place of the Library in Society], 1971

Loaning kettlebells will hardly threaten civilisation. But there is a threat to both civilisation and democracy if people do

not have a free place to learn, spend time, make a difference,

and enjoy their hobbies.

— Kaisa Viljanen, journalist Helsingin Sanomat newspaper,

12 December 2016

218 219

Maunula Community Centre Maunula Community Centre

220 221

Maunula Community Centre Maunula Community Centre


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224

216 217

Maunula Community CentreMaunula Community Centre

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Maunula Community CentreMaunula Community Centre


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222

People Make the Library

Maunula Community Centre does not shy away from showing its status as the new focal point of the area. Right: View towards the library space from the main entrance.

Children’s area and reading space. Unpretentious materials and colours light up the community spirit. Right: View from the adult education premises on the first floor towards the lobby café run by locals.

One of the many design workshops organised by K2S Architects with the client organisations, Maunula residents and future users studied the floor plan.

Proposition for the design of the girls’ room.

p.218–221 Photo: Mika Huisman © K2S Architectsp.222–224 Courtesy of K2S Architects

Maunula Community Centre

In architecture there are many problems linked to communal planning

and multiple voices. People are worried that design becomes cacophony

and improvisation, while “design by committee” is seldom talked about

positively – in the latter vase the risk is that though the multiple voices may

achieve common ground, the end result might be bland to a fault. Maunula

House demonstrates that a distinct and impressive architecture is also possible

when “doing it together”.

— Tommy Lindgren, architect and critic The Finnish Architectural Review, 2017

Maunula Community Centre

Your Next Living Room

Oodi Helsinki Central Library, 2018

ALA Architects

Your Next Living Room Your Next Living Room

228 229

The architectural competition for the new Helsinki Central Library re-ceived unforeseen media attention and a record-high number of entries. From among the 544 competitors, the jury chose ‘Käännös’ as the win-ner in June 2013. ‘Käännös’ is an am-biguous Finnish word, which means at the same time ‘change of direc-tion’ and ‘translation’. Oodi, the new Helsinki Central Library, which will open in December 2018, will trans-late library conventions into the 21st century, change the heartbeat of the city, and mark the beginning of a new era in Finnish library building.

The architect-partners of ALA Ar-chitects underline public engage-

ment, accessibility, functional mul-tiplicity and architectural appeal in their interpretation. The site is in the centre of Helsinki next to an assem-blage of cultural buildings. The loca-tion gives further impetus to the role of the new library as a forward-look-ing public investment in the common good. The new Central Library will reach beyond the character of an or-dinary library and embody a new concept of an indoor public space full of opportunities. As such, it is a bold and concrete token of the fundamen-tal values of the Finnish culture and society. The library is estimated to receive 10.000 daily and 2.5 million annual visitors.


230 231

Il concorso di architettura per la nuova Biblioteca Centrale di Helsinki ha ri-cevuto un’attenzione inattesa da parte dei mezzi di comunicazione, facendo registrare il record di iscrizioni. Tra i 544 partecipanti, nel giugno 2013 la giuria ha scelto come vincitore il progetto di ALA Architects. Oodi, la nuova Biblioteca Centrale, che aprirà nel dicembre 2018, reinterpreterà le convenzioni delle biblioteche in linea con il linguaggio del ventunesimo se-colo, permettendo alla città di cam-biare passo e segnando l’inizio di una nuova era nell’architettura delle bi-blioteche in Finlandia.

Gli architetti di ALA sottolineano l’impegno pubblico, l’accessibilità,

la multifunzionalità e il fascino archi-tettonico della loro interpretazione. Inoltre, la scelta della sede nel cen-tro di Helsinki, accanto a una serie di edifici di grande rilevanza culturale, sottolinea ulteriormente l’importanza di questo investimento pubblico per il bene comune. La nuova biblioteca sarà molto più di una semplice biblio-teca e darà forma a una nuova conce-zione di spazio pubblico interno, in grado di offrire ed esplorare nuove opportunità. In quanto tale, rappre-senta un esempio audace e concreto dei valori fondamentali della società e della cultura finlandesi. La biblioteca è predisposta per accogliere 10.000 visitatori al giorno e 2,5 milioni l’anno.


232 233

Library and information services will promote equal opportunities in

accessing information, gaining reading experiences as well as in cultural and civic activities and lifelong learning.

The services are organised to serve local needs and are mainly free of charge.

— The Council for Public Libraries, The Way Forward for Public Libraries 2016–2020

Libraries should have large ‘glass bubbles’ for people to go into. They should open

like breadboxes. That is, have a hatch that you need to open. The bubbles should be

soundproofed and carpeted with a mattress and lots of cushions. And there should be two types: one for listening to music and chatting with friends, and another for just reading or chatting with friends. One bubble would hold about six people. The library could have rooms of dif ferent colours – maybe the children’s department could be pale green. Lots of light and lots of

glass or plastic (clear plastic).

— An excerpt from A Dream Library for Helsinki, a questionnaire for 8th and 9th graders

234 235

Oodi Helsinki Central Library Oodi Helsinki Central Library

236 237

Oodi Helsinki Central Library Oodi Helsinki Central Library

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254 255

Helsinki Central Library OodiHelsinki Central Library Oodi

Photo of one of the finished skylights in the top floor. The library will open to the public in December 2018.p.234–237 Courtesy of ALA Architectsp.238 Tuomas Uusheimo © ALA Architects

Ground floor (top left), first floor, top floor (top right) and longitudinal section of Oodi Helsinki Central Library by ALA Architects.

Renderings depicting the first floor activity areas (top left), ground floor plaza, top floor book oasis (top right) and the exterior. The public square in front of the library continues inside.

Oodi Helsinki Central Library

The Central Library will enrich the functional diversity of the downtown

urban environment. It will create a new sense of identity and positive atmosphere within the city, and also boost the city’s ability to produce unique experiences. The Central Library will be part of a

creative environment that encompasses a wide cultural and artistic spectrum:

music, film, visual arts, history – and now wordsmithery and literature. The Central Library will be an essential element in the

city’s cultural continuum. Its pleasant, stylish and high-quality building will not only house a hive of activity and act as a raw and edgy third place, it will also

be a place of tranquillity and a space for seeking profound knowledge.

— Central Library Project Plan, summary for the media, 2010

Your Next Living Room

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Mind-Building

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Plan of the exhibition: Library Space Installation

Mind-Building

❶ ❷ Book cart and table lamp from Tampere Main Library Metso (1986) by Raili and Reima Pietilä. Courtesy of Tampere City Library

❹ A Day at the Kaisa Library, video by Antti Auvinen and Marja Rautaharju, 2015/2018.

❸ Artek 402 Armchair by Alvar Aalto. The chair is similar to the ones designed for Viipuri Library (1935). Courtesy of Artek

❺ This is the Sello Library, video by Helmi Kajaste, 2018. Filming and editing by Jussi Tarvainen.

❻ Bubble, scale model for Sello Library (2003) by Helin & Co Architects.

Courtesy of Helin & Co

❽ Artek JL7B pendant luminaire by Juha Leiviskä. The lamp is similar to the ones designed for Vallila Library (1991). Courtesy of Artek

❼ Sound piece by Martti Kalliala and DJ Hvad, 2018.

❾ Information Gas Station iGS marks the arrival of the information society to Finnish libraries.

The stations and the accompanying kiosks were produced as a part of the Helsinki City Library development project supported by the Access to Learning grant awarded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. The project aimed to integrate new technologies to library services, give digital education, advance computer skills, and provide libraries with a new role as easy-access centres of digitised information.

Because internet search engines were only in development at the time – for reference, Google was established in 1998 – the Information Gas Stations were transportable, concrete information service booths where customers could consult the librarians with any information needs whatsoever. The slogan of the iGS project was ”Ask Anything” – the idea was that the iGS would teach citizens to use and utilise the vast, skyrocketing potentials of the Internet.

A video telling the story of the Finnish public library institution is playing on the iGS screen.iGS: Courtesy of Puistola Library / Helsinki City LibraryVideo: Courtesy of Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle

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Mind-Building Mind-Building

❹ A Day at the Kaisa LibraryVideo by Antti Auvinen and Marja Rautaharju, 2015/2018

The Helsinki University Main Library – Kaisa Library in short – is located in the heart of Helsinki. The acclaimed university building was designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects who were awarded the State Prize of Architecture in 2013 for it. Thanks to its central location and appealing architecture, the Kaisa Library has become a much-loved and one of the most frequented study hubs for all the people of Helsinki.

The video presents the library from the user’s point of view. The time-lapse format transforms architecture into a static background and the viewer’s attention focuses on people and their actions. The fast-motion narration reveals the amount of action that fills the space: Kaisa Library is always in use.

Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo © Anttinen Oiva Architects

Helsinki University Main Library Kaisa, 2012

Anttinen Oiva Architects

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Mind-Building

Mind- Building

Mind-Building

❺ This is the Sello LibraryVideo by Helmi Kajaste, 2018

❻ BubbleScale model, Helin & Co Architects, 2003/2018

The Sello Library, designed by Helin & Co Architects, is a part of the commercial and administrative premises of the Leppävaara district in Espoo. The library was one of the first in Finland to be located adjoining a shopping mall. Together with Juvenalia Music Centre and Sello Concert Hall that line the Viaporinaukio square, the library has quickly taken its place as the new action hub of the rapidly growing and fragmented urban area. The airy, unpretentious architecture, excellent location, diverse services and eventful programme produced in partnership with Espoo Youth Services have contributed to the appeal of the Sello Library as a public living room, workshop facility and community space.

Helmi Kajaste’s video interpretation of the Sello Library presents the library as it is: a relaxed, busy and unpretentious meeting point of people and information.

The scale model shows the original story-time theatre called Bubble. The theatre was located in the children’s section, but it was demolished during one of the many renovation projects undertaken since the opening in 2003.

Photo: Voitto Niemielä © Helin & Co Architects

Espoo City Library Sello, 2003

Helin & Co Architects

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Credits

DESIGN TEAMS

Kallio Library renovation, 2018Valvomo Architects Team: Markus Nevalainen, Teppo Asikainen, Vesa Hinkola, Jan Tromp

Viipuri Library restoration, 2014The Finnish Committee for the Restoration of Viipuri Library and Mustonen Architects Chief architect: Tapani MustonenTeam: Maija Kairamo, Leif Englund, Olli Helasvuo, Maren Nielsen Töölö Library restoration, 2016Mustonen Architects Chief architect: Tapani MustonenProject architect: Maren NielsenTeam: Iris Piironen, Olli Helasvuo, Niina Svartström Building historic survey: Netta Böök, Maren Nielsen, Tapani Mustonen

Kuhmo Town Library, 1988Architects NRT / Architects Nurmela–Raimoranta–TasaChief architect: Jyrki TasaTeam: Tuomo Remes, Antti Luutonen, Timo Kilpiö, Rauli Ukkonen, Hannu Salomaa, Hannu Tikka, Lauri Olin, Elisabeth Pesola

Vallila Library, 1984–1991Vilhelm Helander, Juha Leiviskä ArchitectsChief architect: Juha LeiviskäProject architect: Asta Björklund

Joensuu City Library, 1992Tuomo Siitonen Architects / Helin & Siitonen ArchitectsChief architects: Tuomo Siitonen, Tuomas WichmannInterior architect: Simo Heikkilä

Raisio Library and Auditorium, 1999Artto Kaijansinkko Palo Rossi Tikka ArchitectsChief architect: Hannu TikkaProject architects: Tuomas Wichmann, Risto HaapojaInterior architects: Markku Liukkonen, Lauri OlinTeam: Aleksi Salmenperä, Kimmo Lintula

Lohja Main Library, 2006Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects Chief architect: Ilmari LahdelmaProject architect: Juha HeinoTeam: Petri Saarelainen, Katri Rönkä, Lasse Kojo, Teemu Halme, Eeva Lithovius, Heikki Viiri, Maria Jokela, Taina Silmujärvi

Turku Main Library, 2007JKMM Architects Partners: Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen, Juha Mäki-JylliläChief architect: Asmo JaaksiProject architect: Mikko Rossi Renovation project architect:Katja SavolainenInterior architect: Päivi MeuronenAssisting designer: Tero Hirvonen

Team: Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen, Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, Hella Hernberg, Janne Järvinen, Sini Kukkonen, Johanna Ojanlatva, Pekka Pakkanen, Pasi Piironen, Freja Ståhlberg-Aalto

Seinäjoki Main Library Apila, 2012JKMM Architects Chief architect: Asmo JaaksiProject architect: Aaro Martikainen, Teemu ToivioInterior architect: Päivi MeuronenAssisting designer: Tero HirvonenTeam: Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen, Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, Harri Lindberg, Eero Kontuniemi, Marko Pulli, Edgars Racins, Freja Ståhlberg-Aalto

Seinäjoki Aalto Library conservation, 2015Mustonen ArchitectsChief architects: Tapani Mustonen, Olli HelasvuoTeam: Maren Nielsen

Harald Herlin Learning Centre renovation, 2016Architects NRTPartner in charge: Teemu TuomiChief and project architect: Tuomo RemesInterior architect: Päivi MeuronenTeam: Eeva-Liisa Elo-Lehtinen, Valtteri Osara, Jani Koivula, Kristiina Suoniemi, Heikki Ruoho, Tuula Olli, Tuula Hikipää, Mila Viksilä

Maunula Community Centre, 2017K2S ArchitectsPartners: Kimmo Lintula, Niko Sirola, Mikko SummanenChief architect: Mikko SummanenProject architect: Jaakko WestTeam: Elina Koivisto, Tommi Terästö, Tuuli Kanerva, Tetsujiro Kyuma, Tommi Mauno, Antti Soini, Petri Ullakko, Juho Vuolteenaho, Matti Wäre

Oodi Helsinki Central Library, 2018ALA Architects Partners: Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta, Samuli WoolstonChief architect: Niklas MahlbergProject architects: Jussi Vuori, Tuulikki Tanska, Tom Stevens, Nea Tuominen, Pauliina Rossi, Anna Juhola, Miguel SilvaInterior design: Heikki Ruoho, Mirja Sillanpää, Mette KahlosTeam: Michal Bala, Marina Diaz Garcia, Jyri Eskola, Zuzana Hejtmankova, Anniina Kortemaa, Felix Laitinen, Malgorzata Mutkowska, T. K. Justin Ng, Marlène Oberli-Räihä, Olli Parviainen, Alicia Pena, Anton Pramstrahler, Jack Prendergast, Akanksha Rathi, Niina Rinkinen, Mikael Rupponen, Pekka SivulaTeam at competition stage: Aleksi Niemeläinen, Jussi Vuori, Erica Österlund; Willem Barendregt, Martin Genet, Vladimir Ilic, Tiina Liisa Juuti, Julius Kekoni, Auvo Lindroos, Pekka Sivula, Pekka Tainio, Jyri Tartia

Sello Library, 2003Helin & Co ArchitectsChief architect: Pekka HelinProject architects: Tuomas Wichmann, Hanna Euro, Harri KoskiInterior designer: Tero Hirvonen

Helsinki University Main Library Kaisa, 2012Anttinen Oiva ArchitectsPartners: Vesa Oiva, Selina AnttinenChief architect: Matti HuhtamiesProject architects: Mikko Rossi, Teemu HalmeTeam: Karoliina Hartiala, Lauri Virkola, Jussi Kalliopuska, Tero Hirvonen

Information Gas Station, 1999 Talli Architecture and DesignDesigner: Martti LukanderTeam: Pia Ilonen, Minna Lukander, Henrik Helpiö

A Day at the Kaisa Library video, 2015/2018Antti Auvinen,Marja Rautaharju

This is the Sello Library video, 2018Helmi KajasteFilming and editing: Jussi Tarvainen

Sound piece, 2018Martti Kalliala, DJ Hvad

Credits

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe exhibition team would like to thank the following individuals for their time and commitment in making this exhibition possible:

Laura AaltoAntti AaltonenAnna AutioPanu HeikkiläMaarit HelénPekka HelinTotti HelinPaula HuotelinAsmo JaaksiVirpi JeroTuukka Järvi-LiimatainenRaija KoliIlmari LahdelmaSami LaitilaTommi LaitioJuha LeiviskäPanu LehtovuoriTommi LindhMinna LukanderAnu LångElina LähteenmäkiKari LämsäJonas MalmbergDiana MarroneAnja MatilainenPäivi MeuronenCaroline MirandTapani MustonenMarkus NevalainenAntti NousjokiMarja-Riitta NorriLaura NorrisAntti NousjokiKatariina PakomaElizaveta ParkkonenMiia PerkkiöJanne PihlajaniemiJames PrevettRisto RaittilaEssi RautiolaJenni ReuterAnni RuotsalainenJaana RäsänenSeija SalminenJuhani SalorantaTuomo SiitonenAnna-Maria SoininvaaraElina Standertskjöld

Mikko SummanenNiina SvartströmAsko TakalaJyrki TasaHannu TikkaTimo VikkulaKatri Vänttinen

EXHIBITION TEAMHanna HarrisMiina JutilaJohannes NieminenMaikki LavikkalaSini ParikkaTuomas SiitonenElla TammistoAnni Vartola

PAVILION TEAM Leonardo Candaten Stefano Ferro Irina GarnetsLaura Kömi Ella MüllerJack PrendergastFrancesco Raccanelli Anniina Taivainen Mimma TuomisaloTimo Vikkula Krista Vänni

MAIN SUPPORTERMinistry of Education and Culture, Finland

MAIN PARTNERCity of Helsinki

PARTNERSEmbassy of Finland in RomeVisit FinlandVisit JyväskyläVisit SeinäjokiArtekKonto AcousticsMTAB FinlandThe Building Information Foundation RTSArkkitehti – Finnish Architectural ReviewAlvar Aalto FoundationHelsinki City Library

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