THE LIBRARY AT MAUNULA HOUSE provides
floor to ceiling views to the surrounding neigh-
borhood
Our itinerary included visits to
six schools, one University Campus,
and three community centers while
immersing ourselves in world class
urban environments. The study of the
buildings visited was concentrated into
three “lenses” of focus: connection to
16 essentials | summer 2019
the community, innovation in learn-
ing environments, and integration of
sustainability: environmental, social, or
psychological. All the buildings visit-
ed were included for their exemplary
modern design. The following buildings
represent standouts within each lens:
Connection to the Community:
Maunula House
The first stop on the trip was Mau-
nula House, a community learning
center designed by K2S Architects
located in a suburban neighborhood on
the North side of Helsinki. Maunula
House is physically connected to a
grocery store anchoring the building to
the core of the neighborhood and the
daily patterns of the community. A pair
of glass doors open from the library
right into the produce section, makes a
lot of sense! The building is comprised
of a public library, adult education
center, and youth center.
In a literal sense Manaula House is a
building for the community. K2S archi-
tects held a year’s worth of community
charrettes to design the facility, a key to
the overall success of the project. Three
seats on the board of trustees are held
specifically for neighborhood residents.
With brick masonry street facing eleva-
tions that match the adjacent commer-
cial buildings and a double height cur-
tain wall that reflects the surrounding
town, Manaula House truly reflects the
community it serves. To turn the corner
from the bus stop is breathtaking.
Natural light is a precious resource
in Scandinavia. The interior of Manau-
la House is organized around a volu-
minous atrium featuring a north facing
clerestory window that brings light
deep into all levels of the building.
The design is successful in the intent
to support the wellness of the user as
the facility sees its highest patronage
during the winter months.
The star of the show is undoubtedly
the expansive curtain wall that visually
connects the building to the neighbor-
hood…it is a pure design statement
articulated through technical precision
and elegant engineering. One enters
the Manaula House at the upper level.
As the site drops away the architecture
works with the site design to create the
double height library on the lower floor
looking out onto the landscape and
surrounding neighborhood.