Oodi Helsinki Central Library: Public Space in a Significant Site

ALA Architects, Middle Density, Project, Territory and mobility, Urban Paradigms

Accessibility, Active Public Spaces, Architecture, Canopy, City views, Comfort, Design, Educational facility, Efficiency, Engineering, Finland, Flexibility, Glazed façade, Helsinki, Landmark, Library, Local materials, Multifunctional building, Passive ventilation, Project, Public Space, Refitting Places, Skylight, Thermal comfort, Wooden ceiling, Zero Energy

Photography: Tuomas Uusheimo

Oodi occupies a hugely significant site in central Helsinki: facing the steps of the Finnish parliament building, the Eduskuntatalo across the Kansalaistori square, a public space flanked by major civic institutions.

The siting of Oodi opposite the Eduskuntatalo was chosen to be symbolic of the relationship between the government and the populace, and act as a reminder of the Finnish Library Act’s mandate for libraries to promote lifelong learning, active citizenship, democracy and freedom of expression. It also places the new library in the heart of Helsinki’s cultural district, close to many of the capital’s great institutions.