Helsinki Central Library

SEEDS OF INTELLIGENCE1/2

As digital technology facilitates more and more decentralized forms of network commu-nication, the role of library to serve as a cen-tralized public space for physical interface and social interaction becomes ever more critical. In designing Helsinki Central Library we ask ourselves three fundamental questions. What is a library? What warrants its relevance in today’s rapid access to information? What unique contextual characteristics of this site should be reflected in the new central library?

These three questions led a broad range of responses and observations. We believe a contemporary library is a spatial vehicle that allows users to travel back in time to reclaim the accumulative knowledge and enables them for the future journey; It is a space that gathers people from different social and in-come strata; It is both casual and formal; It is a repository for all things different; It is both quiet and loud; It is both active and passive; It is both individual and collective, spatially both large and small.

We believe a library is not an ivory tower of knowledge and authority, but instead a place of horizontal access; It is a place for discov-ery in knowledge and human socialization. We believe sustainability does not start and end with the latest technologies, but instead the most primitive principles of site orienta-tion, day-lighting, natural ventilation and ulti-mately anti-passe to withstand the challenge of time.

In response to our observations, we are pro-posing Seeds of Intelligence as our design concept. It is a place where synergy is cre-ated between knowledge and experience with spectacular spaces that promotes interaction, communication, and multitudes of social and cultural exchange. It will make Helsinki Cen-tral Library a mesmerizing place to be.

Helsinki Central LibraryOpen International Architectural CompetitionID K5ISL1UL : Panel 01

SITE PLANHelsinki Central LibraryOpen International Architectural CompetitionID K5ISL1UL : Panel 02

SEEDS OF INTELLIGENCE2/2

In formalizing the Seeds of Intelligence, we utilized the entire site boundary to extrude a rectangular massing at 30 meters by 150 me-ters and 23 meters high. The linear proportion of the site is parcelled down into humanizing scales by the introduction of the crystalline vessels, creating spaces that are layered and textured

North and south ends of the building mass-ing is slightly chamfered and elevated to wel-come visitor’s arrival and enhance the feel of free access and movement. Within the rec-tangular volume, three crystalline vessels are hollowed out to create outside-in spaces. The crystalline vessels are the physical embodi-ment of Seeds of Intelligence. It is a meet-ing place, where conversations takes place, spontaneous acts occurs and ideas blossom.

In addition to the spatial dynamism it provides, the glass crystallines are also functional ele-ments intending to address sustainable issues by providing deep solar penetration during winter seasons and provide outside-in garden spaces during spring and summer seasons. It allows for natural ventilation deep inside the 150 meters long massing and provide unique interactive spaces within the library. Within the library spaces are choreographed to pro-mote visual interaction, allowing the library to be used in unexpected ways.

We believe captivating spaces that promotes unconventional interactions and events are the ultimate answers for keeping the library as a relevant building typology. With that funda-mental belief we believe Seeds of Intelligence is the most appropriate and the best solution as defined by the competition brief.

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1- Lobby functions2- Public toilets3- Public services4- Meeting and lounge area5- Stage6- Events spaces7- Cinema8- Living lab9- Multi-purpose hall10- Furniture and stage prop storage11- Lobby area12- Exhibition spaces13- Café14- Restaurant15- Public sauna16- Library collections area17- Interactive spaces18- “Lounges, “”Oases””19- Children’s world20- Workrooms21- Music, recording and video studio22- TV and radio studio23- Digital-physical workshop24- Listening, viewing and games room25- Teaching and meeting spaces26- Office facilities27- Staff lounge28- Changing and washrooms29- Service and loading area30- Distribution substation31- WC40- Crystalline Garden

A simple 30 x 150 x 23 meter building massing is formed by adopting the entire site bound-ary lines.

Three crystallines are in-troduced to hollow out the internal massing, turning the building inside-out.

Upper building massing is ar-ticulated with an impression of up-lift creating an ease of free movement and access.

MASSING STRATEGY THE CRYSTALLINES

The three crystalline vessels are the physical manifestation of seeds of intelligence. In addition to the spatial dyna-mism they provide, the glass crystallines are also functional elements intending to:

1) Provide deep solar penetra-tion during winter seasons

2) Provide outside-in garden spaces during summer sea-sons

3) Provide natural ventilation deep inside the 150 meters long massing

4) Provide an unique interac-tive space within part of crys-talline-b

SUMMERWINTER

{CRYSTALLINE-C}

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The linear proportion of the site is parcelled down into humanizing scales, by intro-ducing the crystallines, the spaces becomes layered and textured

LAYERING OF SPACES

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1- Lobby functions2- Public toilets3- Public services4- Meeting and lounge area5- Stage6- Events spaces7- Cinema8- Living lab9- Multi-purpose hall10- Furniture and stage prop storage11- Lobby area12- Exhibition spaces13- Café14- Restaurant15- Public sauna16- Library collections area17- Interactive spaces18- “Lounges, “”Oases””19- Children’s world20- Workrooms21- Music, recording and video studio22- TV and radio studio23- Digital-physical workshop24- Listening, viewing and games room25- Teaching and meeting spaces26- Office facilities27- Staff lounge28- Changing and washrooms29- Service and loading area30- Distribution substation31- WC40- Crystalline Garden

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Three crystallines carve into the building bringing the outside in and the in-side out. They act as internal courtyards, delivering natural air and light to the interior. The glazed store front window at the bottom level of the library offers views to the adjacent park and allows people to see activities inside.

OUTSIDE-IN AND INSIDE-OUT

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Temporary exhibitions of various kind can be setup using lightweight struc-tures. In the summer time, these exhibitions extend to the adjacent park.

TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONSpaces are choreographed to promote visual interaction, allowing the library to be used in unexpected ways. Curtain behind the Multi-function hall can be opened allowing the events to spilled out into the library lobby.

EVENT SPACE: MULTI-FUNCTION HALLSteps that functions as connection to the upper level can be used as impromp-tu area for casual lectures, talks and functions.

EVENT SPACE: THE STEPS


Helsinki Central Library Provided area in design (m2)Main lobby and central public service spaces 1030Lobby functions 130Public toilets 120Public services 170Meeting and lounge area 440Stage 70Pop-up info spots (space reservation) 100

Events spaces 1755Cinema 520Multi-purpose hall 430Furniture and stage prop storage, Lobby area 235Back stage 30Living lab 200Library exhibition space 120Rentable exhibition space 180Exhibition spaces, local storage points 40

Spaces for external service providers 835Café 240Restaurant 330Public sauna 265Reservation for commercial premises 0

The collections area and spaces linked to it 2930Library collections area 1600fixed client-service point 140Interactive spaces 290Lounges, "oases" 600Quiet areas 300

Learning and doing 1780Children's world 660Workrooms (for clients) 150Personal office area (for clients) 210Music, recording and video studio 70TV and radio studio 50Digital-physical workshop 100Listening, viewing and games room 160Teaching, group work and meeting spaces 380

Staff facilities 475Office facilities 315Staff lounge 50Changing and washrooms 60WCs 50

Library logistics and library material handling facilities 480Library collections storage 200Returns automat room 80Library material handling 200

Service spaces 710IT and other equipment areas 60Building management monitoring and server room 50Cleaning facilities 80Refuse store 60Building maintenance store 40Service and loading area 350Distribution substation 20

Programme floor area in total (m2) 9995

Helsinki Central Library Provided area in design (m2)Main lobby and central public service spaces 1030Lobby functions 130Public toilets 120Public services 170Meeting and lounge area 440Stage 70Pop-up info spots (space reservation) 100

Events spaces 1755Cinema 520Multi-purpose hall 430Furniture and stage prop storage, Lobby area 235Back stage 30Living lab 200Library exhibition space 120Rentable exhibition space 180Exhibition spaces, local storage points 40

Spaces for external service providers 835Café 240Restaurant 330Public sauna 265Reservation for commercial premises 0

The collections area and spaces linked to it 2930Library collections area 1600fixed client-service point 140Interactive spaces 290Lounges, "oases" 600Quiet areas 300

Learning and doing 1780Children's world 660Workrooms (for clients) 150Personal office area (for clients) 210Music, recording and video studio 70TV and radio studio 50Digital-physical workshop 100Listening, viewing and games room 160Teaching, group work and meeting spaces 380

Staff facilities 475Office facilities 315Staff lounge 50Changing and washrooms 60WCs 50

Library logistics and library material handling facilities 480Library collections storage 200Returns automat room 80Library material handling 200

Service spaces 710IT and other equipment areas 60Building management monitoring and server room 50Cleaning facilities 80Refuse store 60Building maintenance store 40Service and loading area 350Distribution substation 20

Programme floor area in total (m2) 9995

Crystalline A- lobby

Children’s world withplayground connectedto the park

Meeting/ loungearea

Restaurant

Crystalline C- outdoorcourtyard level 1.5

Cinema

Storage

Crystalline B- interactivespace level 2

Collection area/ reading steps

Crystalline B- outdoor courtyard level 3

Media studio/ teaching space/ work-shop

Sauna with views to the Park

Staff facilitiesInteractive space

Cafe

Multi-function hall

Service and loading

Top: View from the reading step from the north side of library with crystalline as con-nectors in between floors

Right: Night view of the library from the south west corner

PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION DIAGRAM


CROSS SECTION

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Top: Entry view to the library with the facade hollowed out by the lobby crystalline to expose the objectified multi-function hall as an iconic ele-ment.

Right: View from inside the Multi-function hall out to the reading room forming a lay-ered series of spaces. Crys-talline allows outdoor court-yard access and serve as light monitors to provide the much need winter solar penetration

Documents

Helsinki Central Library