Located in the very centre of Helsinki, theToolonlahti (Toolo Bay) area, the Central Library will form a cohesive totality with the Finnish Parliament building, Helsinki Music Centre, Finlandia Hall, Sanoma House and Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. In terms of both the cityscape and its symbolic significance it will represent a modern and dynamic image of an urban public facility for the citizens of Helsinki.
Urban strategy
The ONYX – Helsinki Central Library forms seamlessly into the planned draft proposal of theToolonlahti area, responding to the surrounding buildings, infrastructure and urban fabric. It is an iconic cultural landmark in its own right, but also respectful of its place as part of a greater master plan. The design is directly linked to the park, connecting the library to the planned pedestrian and bicycle paths. This allows easy accessibility without disrupting the existing flow of traffic. The design also utilizes the existing roads and parking facilities so the master plan remains intact.
With respect to the historic and cultural importance of the Toolonlahti area, ONYX enhances and preserves the visual connections between the significant buildings in the area through its materiality and form. A simple cut through the building preserves the sight lines from the Helsinki Music Centre to the bell tower of the Helsinki Central Railway Station, a significant way finding device and historic landmark for the city of Helsinki.
A new public plaza located in front of the entrance and immediately adjacent to the park blurs the boundary of the natural landscape continuing it onto the site of the library and bringing the public with it. A grand staircase facilitates the entrance into an elevated lobby where the public is encouraged to gather in informal spaces. This will lead the public to a greater exploration of the totality of the facility, effectively creating a sense of public space within the building and adding to the notion of the library as a center of community life.
Architectural concept
ONYX will be a black precious stone that has the properties to both absorb and reflect its surrounding. It is able to reflect the urban fabric on the east side and at the same time to absorb the flow of visitors coming from the park on the west side.
Open to the park, the Helsinki Central Library will perform the role of an urban catalyst, bringing together all sectors of the population to enjoy the building in relation to the public space and the park. An urban sculptural theme applied to the landscape of the plaza features the lyricism of the Finnish forest embedded on the rock in the main entrance animating the plaza and beckoning the public to visit.
In conclusion the ONYX – Helsinki Central Library will generate a new iconic public facility in the cityscape of theToolonlahti (Toolo Bay) area. It will serve the citizens of Helsinki, not only as a practical, energy efficient and sustainable building but will also give to the city a new cultural identity.
Recognizable and remarkable, the new Helsinki Central Library will be reminiscent of a treasure chest of knowledge, where it will assuredly fulfill its role as the guardian of knowledge and culture and provide future generations with a place where learning is, before all else, sharing.