Helsingfors Universitetsbibliotek – Detaljmodell

Abstract

The buildings concrete strcture is covered in a veneer of brick, this is abstracted to paint in the detail model, emphasizing the volume and intersecting vaults. The vault is cut in two and supported by a transparent acrylic plate, making it less of a structure and more of an object.

Located in the historically important Hirvi city block in the heart of Helsinki, the Kaisatalo, meaning Kaisa House, of the Helsinki University Library sits neatly between the old brick buildings. As the architecture office Anttinen Oiva Architects first major win in an open competition in 2008, the building serves as a central library for the previously dislocated faculties of the University of Helsinki.

The competition entry name Avaus, meaning openings, summarizes the concept of the building. Despite having a very large program on a very small site, the architects successfully integrated the large ovoid openings into the building to let in natural light. When the ovoid shapes that create the openings intersect the facade, they create the arches that characterize the building, breaking the strict grid created by small windows in the brick facade.