VICE PRINCIPAL - TEACHING AND LEARNING
MRS KRISTY IRWIN VICE PRINCIPAL – TEACHING AND LEARNING
IMAGES OF OODI , HELSINKI ' S AWARD WINNING LIBRARY
SPACES THAT SPEAK
REFLECTIONS ON HELSINKI ' S OODI AND THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN LEARNING
1 .
On an overcast , chilly Sunday afternoon , I find myself perched on the stairs of the Oodi , Helsinki ' s architecturally striking , award-winning library . The name ' Oodi ', meaning ' ode ' in Finnish , is a fitting tribute to the power of community , for like an ode that celebrates its subject in poetic form , this space celebrates learning , creativity and human connection through its very architecture . To call it merely a library feels reductive ; the Oodi is a place where the ties that bind community are strengthened through shared learning , creation and purpose .
As I observe the scene around me , I am struck by how the Oodi embodies the concept of unity in diversity . Throughout the space , people work independently on laptops or collaboratively in meeting rooms , united in their pursuit of knowledge and productivity . Readers and gamers are each lost in their own worlds yet share a common space . Children and adults play together in cubby houses or climb indoor trees , fostering intergenerational connections . In recording studios and at 3D printers , individuals come together united by their creative spirit and the shared tools at their disposal .
The space hums with purposeful activity , yet an underlying sense of calm prevails , mirrored in the thoughtful design that surrounds visitors . Bucida buceras ( black olive ) trees stand serenely beneath an undulating white ceiling reminiscent of cloud formations , while round skylights allow bursts of sunlight to stream through , creating a harmonious interplay of nature and architecture .
This design is a physical embodiment of core Finnish values : equality , openness and civic engagement . In a country that consistently ranks among the world ' s happiest and most literate , the Oodi represents a significant public investment in lifelong learning and community building . What sets it apart , however , is not just its aesthetics , but the collaborative process behind its creation . Helsinki residents were integral to its conception , ensuring the space met diverse community needs . The result of this participatory approach is a three-level structure , each level serving a distinct purpose :
• the first floor is for ‘ meeting ’, featuring chess tables , a restaurant and a movie cinema ;
• the second floor is for ‘ creating ’, housing an urban workshop equipped with 3D printers , laser cutters , sewing machines , recording studios , a kitchen space , electronics workstations and gaming rooms ; and
• the third floor is for ‘ reading ’, offering a wide selection of books in 23 languages , a coffee shop and a playspace with cubby houses and climbing trees for children . The design of the Oodi offers valuable insights for reimagining educational and community spaces in Australia . By providing free access to cutting-edge technology , diverse learning resources and shared spaces , the Oodi creates an environment where people from all walks of life can come together , learn from one another and work towards common goals . In Australia , where we
26 Great Scot Issue 172 – Edition 2 2024