The newest pride of the Finnish architecture is
OODI - Helsinki Central Library
Oodi is a striking building with its glass and steel structures and wooden facade,
its design being a combination of traditional and contemporary flavours.
The energy-efficient library is an impressive calling card for Finnish architecture.
ALA Architects is responsible for Oodi’s architectural planning,
and YIT is the building contractor. The open international architectural competition in 2012
received 544 entries from all over the world. ALA Architects was declared the winner
with their entry Käännös (Turning Point) in 2013.
and YIT is the building contractor. The open international architectural competition in 2012
received 544 entries from all over the world. ALA Architects was declared the winner
with their entry Käännös (Turning Point) in 2013.
The construction of Oodi took three years and was on schedule.
The grand opening took place on 5 December, the eve of our Independence Day.
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| Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo |
Oodi is a living meeting place at Kansalaistori square, right at the heart of Helsinki.
Oodi complements the cultural and media hub formed by Helsinki Music Centre,
Finlandia Hall, Sanoma House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma.
Finlandia Hall, Sanoma House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma.
Oodi is a non-commercial, urban public space that is open to all.
Apart from the traditional library services, Oodi also features a café, restaurant, cinema, art,
studio facilities and an urban workshop, for example.
“Oodi symbolises the core values of our society, such as education, culture, equality and openness.
The promotion of these values is especially vital in these times marked by uncertainty.
The promotion of these values is especially vital in these times marked by uncertainty.
Oodi stands firmly in the defence line of our democracy.” - Mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori.
THREE FLOORS, THREE ATMOSPHERES
THE FIRST FLOOR is a fast paced transformable space.
It holds a spacious lobby for organising various events, the library’s information desk,
book returns as well as a café. The cinema and the multi-purpose hall located on this floor
can be flexibly used for either extending the lobby or organising separate events.
can be flexibly used for either extending the lobby or organising separate events.
ON THE SECOND FLOOR city residents can get creative in the top-class workshop and
studio facilities. A broad range of tools is available for anyone to use, ranging from 3D printer
to overlocker, from laser cutter to label printer. The second floor also hosts
the state-of-the-art studios for playing music, recording, filming and editing.
studio facilities. A broad range of tools is available for anyone to use, ranging from 3D printer
to overlocker, from laser cutter to label printer. The second floor also hosts
the state-of-the-art studios for playing music, recording, filming and editing.
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| Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo |
and modern library services. Oodi is one of 37 branches of Helsinki City Library and
part of the Helmet library network.The third floor invites you to read, learn and relax.
part of the Helmet library network.The third floor invites you to read, learn and relax.
There are 100,000 items available to borrow, a café and nine living trees.
THE CITIZENS’ BALCONY facing Parliament House is a great place to admire
the Töölönlahti Park and city centre in the summertime.
the Töölönlahti Park and city centre in the summertime.
See more photos and info HERE.
Oodi is stunning, really a reason to be proud of!
// WATW
// IMAGE-IN-ING
// MOSAIC MONDAY #7
Oodi is stunning, really a reason to be proud of!
// WATW
// IMAGE-IN-ING
// MOSAIC MONDAY #7
We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ And a Happy New Year!!!
- riitta
- riitta
What an interesting place, Riitta! Thank you for all those great photos!
VastaaPoistaHave a happy day,
Love and hugs, Claudia xo
The architecture of Oodi is stunning, so is the concept: easy access and open for everybody. They expect 2,5 million visitors a year.
PoistaI like mpdern architecture very much. Thank you for showing...
VastaaPoistaUma arquitectura muito interessante, continuação de uma boa semana.
VastaaPoistaAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
...a dramatic building, thanks for sharing.
VastaaPoistaTämä rakennus saa tuntemaan ylpeyttä suomalaisuudestani.
VastaaPoistaLisäsin tämän jo rakennusvaiheessa "Pakko nähdä-listalleni"
Kyllä Kirsti. Suomalaiset arkkitehdit ovat aivan huippuja - mielikuvitus plus taito <3
PoistaImpressive! What a fantastic library!
VastaaPoistaThanks for the info, Riitta. On my list to visit...
VastaaPoistaThank you all for commenting. Luisella, the white low bookshelves are from Italy. Low white units fit to the space perfectly and preserve the airy atmosphere of the Book Heaven.
PoistaGreat architectural marvel encompassing so many impressive activities!
VastaaPoistaInteresante y bonito, me ha encantado. Besitos.
VastaaPoistaHello Dear Riitta
VastaaPoistaGreat architecture. Your relationship is unusual.
I watch with pleasure. Riitta, thank you very much that I could see this unique building.
Hugs and greetings.
Lucja
Hello Dear Riitta
VastaaPoistaThank you very much for your good wishes.
Hugs:)
What a beautiful space. The photo of the entire complex glowing with light is lovely. I think having space to be creative, with tools available, is so important. But my favourite part is the library with those stacks of books waiting to be read, and the light in that space. Gorgeous!
VastaaPoistaLodi is indeed a wonderful place for each, Riita. Thank you for sharing this. It’s always interesting for me to read about Helsinki. Years ago I have contact with a very nice professor there. He gave me his dissertation for my own purpose for educational seminars I had to give...
VastaaPoistaHappy MosaicMonday!
Very interesting tour and wonderful photos. Happy Mosaic Monday
VastaaPoistaMuch💖love
That looks futuristic...so modern and beautiful...oh and BIG! Love your photos! Merry Christmas my friend!
VastaaPoistaRiitta - I struggle sometimes with modern architecture - it often appears to be trying too hard to be unique rather than functional. But this building is simply amazing - I love the spaces and that they were truly designed to be used by everyone in such diverse ways. A wonderful way to demonstrate Finnish values. Thanks for sharing with the Mosaic Monday crowd this week.
VastaaPoistaRiitta, What a wonderful hub of a building. Beautiful, functional and a joy to visit looks like. Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Sylvia D.
VastaaPoistaWow! This is a very handsome modern library. Glad to see those stacks. :-)
VastaaPoistaQuite dramatic looking, I like it.
VastaaPoistaMany thanks for sharing your photographs.
All the best Jan