ALA Architects

Central Library . Helsinki

ALA Architects

The Helsinki-based architectural office ALA has won the design competition for the new Helsinki Central Library with their entry “Käännös”.

“Käännös” grows from the dynamic between the site and the goals of the library program. The interplay between the building’s three individual floors is the key concept of the entry.
The public plaza in front of the building will continue inside, merging with a catalogue 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 spaces will be visible, attractive, understandable and welcoming to all visitors.

The traditional, serene library atmosphere can be found on the top floor. This will be a calm and contemplative area floating above the busy central Helsinki. It will offer unobstructed, majestic views to the surrounding park and cityscape.
These two contrasting spaces that perfectly complement each other are created by an arching wooden volume. The spaces inside the volume will be enclosed and more intimate. The wooden volume is stretched vertically to create connections to the open main floors below and above.

NAME: Helsinki Central Library
TYPE: Open competition, 1. prize
STATUS: In progress
PROGRAM: 16 000 m2
LOCATION: Helsinki, Finland
CLIENT: City of Helsinki

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

COLLABORATORS: Renderings: Vizarch.Cz / Petra Grísová, Josef Veselý, Vratislav Zíka Energy technical specialist: Arup / Paul Dunne 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 Scale model: Stoltmodels / Klaus Stolt