Oodi is prominently located in the heart of Helsinki, facing the steps of the Finnish Parliament building. The Eduskunttalo building spans through Kansalaistori Square, a key public space adjacent to important civic institutions.
Situated opposite Eduskuntamaro, Oodi stands as a symbol of the relationship between the government and the public. It embodies the principles of the Finnish Library Code, which emphasizes libraries’ roles in fostering lifelong learning, protecting civil rights, democracy, and freedom of speech. The library is positioned in Helsinki’s cultural district, close to many significant institutions within the capital.
Oodi features a serene open reading room on the upper floor, affectionately known as the ‘reading paradise.’ However, books only occupy about one-third of the library’s total space. The designers and librarians have intentionally shifted away from the traditional focus on on-site storage and user consultation. Instead, they have integrated diverse facilities such as cafés, restaurants, public platforms, cinemas, recording studios, and maker spaces. This innovative approach represents Finland’s evolving library model, offering much more than just book borrowing.
The library’s functional design spans three floors. The ground floor serves as a lively extension of the town square into the building’s interior. The second floor houses a series of rooms for expanded service spaces and support facilities. On the top floor, visitors will find a tranquil open reading room—a true haven for book lovers. Structurally, this concept is realized through two large steel arches spanning over 100 meters, creating a fully enclosed, column-free public entrance space with rooms arranged around it. The upper level is dedicated to the open reading room.
Taking into account Helsinki’s local climate, Oodi uses materials suited to the environment. The roof and balconies are clad in 33mm thick Finnish spruce boards. This coverage extends above Kansalaistori Square, blending indoor and outdoor spaces while providing shelter for public activities in front of the library.
The roof’s upper surface transforms into a vast public terrace, offering Helsinki residents a direct view over the square, the steps of the Finnish Parliament, and the building’s main entrance. This terrace doubles the amount of outdoor public space available to visitors, creating a new area for observation and social gatherings.
The ground floor of Oodi seamlessly extends the public space of Kansalaistori Square into the building’s interior. The first floor is designed to showcase the library’s various facilities, making them accessible and visible to visitors. It provides a non-commercial indoor space open to everyone daily. The National Audiovisual Institute’s KinoRegina cinema occupies one level, alongside cafés and restaurants. During summer, seating extends into the square.
The middle layer, referred to as the ‘attic,’ is flexibly designed with rooms nestled within the spaces between bridge trusses. This multifunctional area accommodates both lively and quiet activities. Facilities such as studios and recording rooms are also located on this floor.
The ‘Heaven of Books’ occupies the top floor, featuring an open layout and a cloud-like ceiling punctuated by circular skylights. This modern library space showcases the new possibilities enabled by 21st-century technology. Its peaceful atmosphere invites visitors to read, learn, think, and enjoy. From this level, guests can take in a 360-degree panoramic view of Helsinki’s city center or step out onto the terrace overlooking Kansalaistori Square.
Project Drawings:
▲ Sectional View
▲ Elevation View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Plan View
▲ Plan View
▲ General Layout Plan
▲ Plan View
▲ Elevation View
▲ Elevation View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Elevation View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Plan View
▲ Sectional View
Project Information:
Architect: ALA Architects
Address: Töölönlahdenkatu, Helsinki, Finland
Category: Library
Client: City of Helsinki
Building Area: 17,250 m²
Project Year: 2018
Photographer: Tuomas Uusheimo
Manufacturers: SISÄRAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA SRT OY, Teräselementti Oy, Timberpoint Oy, Mikroväylä Oy, Tormax, Windoor AS, Lumir Oy, Distributors Oy, Idea-Puu Oy, Sisuwood Oy, OTIS Oy, Icopal Oy, Lopen Rakennuspuu Oy, TIMBECO WOODHOUSE OÜ, UniFor Spa
Competition Stage Partners: Arup (Energy Technical Specialist, Mechanical Engineering, BIM Tutorial, Structural and Facade Engineering), VIZarch (Renderings), Klaus Stolt (Scale Models).
Execution Stage Partners: YIT (Main Contractor), E.M. Pekkinen (Excavation and Basement Construction), Ramboll CM (Project Management), Ramboll Finland (Structural Engineering, HVAC, Energy Technology), Granlund (Theater Technology), Rejlers (Electrical Engineering and AV Consulting), Finnmap Infra & Sipti Infra (Geo Planning), Helimaki Acoustics (Acoustical Engineering), Gravicon (BIM Coordinator), Palotekninen Insinööritoimisto Markku Kauriala (Fire Safety), Pöyry Finland (Traffic Planning), Saircon (Kitchen Design), VIZarch (Renderings), StoltModels (Scale Models).
ALA Design Team (Competition Stage): ALA partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta, Samuli Woolston, with Aleksi Niemeläinen, Jussi Vuori, Erica Österlund, Willem Barendregt, Martin Genet, Vladimir Ilic, Tiina Liisa Juuti, Julius Kekoni, Auvo Lindroos, Pekka Sivula, Pekka Tainio, and Jyri Tartia.
ALA Design Team (Execution Stage): ALA partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta (until 2015), Samuli Woolston, with Niklas Mahlberg, Jussi Vuori, Tuulikki Tanska, Tom Stevens, Nea Tuominen, Pauliina Rossi, Anna Juhola, Miguel Silva, Michal Bala, Marina Diaz Garcia, Jyri Eskola, Zuzana Hejtmankova, Harri Humppi, Mette Kahlos, Anniina Kortemaa, Felix Laitinen, Malgorzata Mutkowska, T.K. Justin Ng, Marlène Oberli-Räihä, Olli Parviainen, Alicia Peña Gomez, Anton Pramstrahler, Jack Prendergast, Akanksha Rathi, Niina Rinkinen, Mikael Rupponen, and Pekka Sivula.
Project Overview: The facility includes library spaces, meeting rooms, group work areas, maker spaces, a living lab, recording studios, photography and editing rooms, office spaces, a café, a restaurant, a movie theater, an auditorium, multi-purpose halls, exhibition spaces, and information booths, totaling 17,250 m².
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