The architectural form of the new library is defined in relation to the surrounding landscape, the composition of the volumes, their orientation and position are in function of the main characteristics of the context in which they are inserted. All sides have a different characterization between the ground floor and the floors above, stating a close relationship with the public space. This allows the park to the north and west to “enter” the building through the transparent walls of the ground floor, while the volumes longitudinally inserted in the body open up with large windows on what they want to observe: the lake to the north, the city to the south and the park to the west.
The large multifunctional hall, on the other hand, leads to the view of the Parliament. We brought together some relevant functions in macro areas until we obtained six functional cores. The architectural representation of these nuclei and their penetration into the “classic” space of the library, the collections area, determined the new functional concept of a real hub of learning and sharing of knowledge.
Client
Municipality of Helsinki
Scope of work
International tender – honorable mention
Project Team
ReCS Architects (Pier Maria Giordani – capogruppo, Antonella Marzi, Samuele Camolese, Chen Zhen), Lucia Paci, Roberto Panara, Davide Viganò, Tommaso Caenaro, Camillo Magni
Collaborators
Gualtiero Missieri, Giorgia Zerbini, Carlotta Caggiati
Place
Helsinki, Finlandia
Year
2012
