Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2019 | Page 52
lights will feel connected to the city through
JKMM’s carefully considered views open-
ing out to the street-level above. The archi-
tects felt it to be especially important for vis-
itors to experience a sense of place, to feel
located in a specific part of the city, even
when they are six meters below ground.
From a museum design point of view,
the structure of the large domed skylights
has enabled JKMM to shape a column-free
2,200 square meter exhibition hall. There is
no doubt that curators will find this a delight-
fully flexible space in which to mount exhi-
bitions.
Asmo Jaaksi comments that integrat-
ing one of Finland’s architecturally pioneer-
ing 1930s buildings – Lasipalatsi – as part of
the Amos Rex project was “a moving expe-
rience”.
“By adding a bold new layer to Lasi-
palatsi, we feel we are connecting past with
present.”
Ode to Books
A stone’s throw (or two) away from Amos
Rex, we find Helsinki Central Library Oodi
which opened on 5 December 2018, on Inde-
pendence Day eve. Oodi, a winner of a past
architectural competition, is a striking build-
ing with its glass and steel structures and
wooden facade, its design a combination of
traditional and contemporary flavors. The
energy-efficient library is an impressive call-
ing card for Finnish architecture and fits its
surroundings like a glove.
ALA Architects is responsible for the
architectural planning. Antti Nousjoki from
ALA Architects observes that Oodi will be
“one of the freest buildings” in Helsinki (or
even in the Nordic Countries) where the vis-
itor can do many things and take initiative
in what they want to do.
“Oodi is a constantly learning and
developing tool for those living in or visit-
ing Helsinki,” Nousjoki says.
Culture Superhub
The library building in the heart of Hel-
sinki consists almost entirely of public
space and will offer a wide selection of ser-
vices, becoming the new central point for the
city’s impressive public library network. The
design divides the functions of the library
into three distinctive levels: an active ground
floor, a peaceful upper floor, and an enclosed
in-between volume containing more specific
functions.
This concept has been developed into
an arching form that invites people to utilize
the spaces and services underneath, inside
and on top of it. The resulting building is
truly an inspiring and highly functional addi-
tion to the urban life of Helsinki and the
Töölönlahti area. l
Sami J. Anteroinen
52 Nordicum