SEEDS OF INTELLIGENCE 1/2
As digital technology facilitates more and more decentralized forms of network communication, the role of library to serve as a centralized 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 income 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 discovery 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 orientation, day-lighting, natural ventilation and ultimately anti-passe to withstand the challenge of time. In response to our observations, we are proposing Seeds of Intelligence as our design concept. It is a place where synergy is created between knowledge and experience with spectacular spaces that promotes interaction, communication, and multitudes of social and cultural exchange. It will make Helsinki Central Library a mesmerizing place to be.
Helsinki Central Library
Open International Architectural Competition
ID K5ISL1UL
:
Panel 01
SEEDS OF INTELLIGENCE 2/2
In formalizing the Seeds of Intelligence, we utilized the entire site boundary to extrude a rectangular massing at 30 meters by 150 meters 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
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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 fundamental belief we believe Seeds of Intelligence is the most appropriate and the best solution as defined by the competition brief.
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In addition to the spatial dynamism it provides, the glass crystallines are also functional elements 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 promote visual interaction, allowing the library to be used in unexpected ways.
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North and south ends of the building massing is slightly chamfered and elevated to welcome visitor’s arrival and enhance the feel of free access and movement. Within the rectangular volume, three crystalline vessels are hollowed out to create outside-in spaces. The crystalline vessels are the physical embodiment of Seeds of Intelligence. It is a meeting place, where conversations takes place, spontaneous acts occurs and ideas blossom.
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SITE PLAN
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Helsinki Central Library
Open International Architectural Competition
ID K5ISL1UL
:
Panel 03
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A simple 30 x 150 x 23 meter building massing is formed by adopting the entire site boundary lines. WINTER
{CRYSTALLINE-A}
2) Provide outside-in garden spaces during summer seasons
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3) Provide natural ventilation deep inside the 150 meters long massing
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1- Lobby functions 2- Public toilets 3- Public services 4- Meeting and lounge area 5- Stage 6- Events spaces 7- Cinema 8- Living lab 9- Multi-purpose hall 10- Furniture and stage prop storage 11- Lobby area 12- Exhibition spaces 13- Café 14- Restaurant 15- Public sauna 16- Library collections area 17- Interactive spaces 18- “Lounges, “”Oases”” 19- Children’s world 20- Workrooms 21- Music, recording and video studio 22- TV and radio studio 23- Digital-physical workshop 24- Listening, viewing and games room 25- Teaching and meeting spaces 26- Office facilities 27- Staff lounge 28- Changing and washrooms 29- Service and loading area 30- Distribution substation 31- WC 40- Crystalline Garden
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LOADING
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LAYERING OF SPACES
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THE CRYSTALLINES
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4) Provide an unique interactive space within part of crystalline-b
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MASSING STRATEGY
1) Provide deep solar penetration during winter seasons
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Upper building massing is articulated with an impression of up-lift creating an ease of free movement and access.
The linear proportion of the site is parcelled down into humanizing scales, by introducing the crystallines, the spaces becomes layered and textured
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Three crystallines are introduced to hollow out the internal massing, turning the building inside-out.
The three crystalline vessels are the physical manifestation of seeds of intelligence. In addition to the spatial dynamism they provide, the glass crystallines are also functional elements intending to:
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Helsinki Central Library
Open International Architectural Competition
ID K5ISL1UL
:
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OUTSIDE-IN AND INSIDE-OUT
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
EVENT SPACE: MULTI-FUNCTION HALL
EVENT SPACE: THE STEPS
Three crystallines carve into the building bringing the outside in and the inside 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.
Temporary exhibitions of various kind can be setup using lightweight structures. In the summer time, these exhibitions extend to the adjacent park.
Spaces 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.
Steps that functions as connection to the upper level can be used as impromptu area for casual lectures, talks and functions.
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1- Lobby functions 2- Public toilets 3- Public services 4- Meeting and lounge area 5- Stage 6- Events spaces 7- Cinema 8- Living lab 9- Multi-purpose hall 10- Furniture and stage prop storage 11- Lobby area 12- Exhibition spaces 13- Café 14- Restaurant 15- Public sauna 16- Library collections area 17- Interactive spaces 18- “Lounges, “”Oases”” 19- Children’s world 20- Workrooms 21- Music, recording and video studio 22- TV and radio studio 23- Digital-physical workshop 24- Listening, viewing and games room 25- Teaching and meeting spaces 26- Office facilities 27- Staff lounge 28- Changing and washrooms 29- Service and loading area 30- Distribution substation 31- WC 40- Crystalline Garden
Interactive space
Staff facilities
Sauna with views to the Park
Crystalline B- outdoor courtyard level 3 Collection area/ reading steps Crystalline B- interactive space level 2
Media studio/ teaching space/ workshop
Multi-function hall Crystalline C- outdoor courtyard level 1.5
Storage
Top: View from the reading step from the north side of library with crystalline as connectors in between floors Right: Night view of the library from the south west corner
Cinema
Service and loading
Crystalline A- lobby
Restaurant Cafe
Children’s world with playground connected to the park
Meeting/ lounge area
PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION DIAGRAM
Helsinki Central Library
Open International Architectural Competition
ID K5ISL1UL
:
Panel 06
Helsinki Central Library Main lobby and central public service spaces Lobby functions Public toilets Public services Meeting and lounge area Stage Pop-up info spots (space reservation)
Provided area in design 1030 130 120 170 440 70 100
Events spaces Cinema Multi-purpose hall Furniture and stage prop storage, Lobby area Back stage Living lab Library exhibition space Rentable exhibition space Exhibition spaces, local storage points
1755 520 430 235 30 200 120 180 40
Spaces for external service providers Café Restaurant Public sauna Reservation for commercial premises
835 240 330 265 0
The collections area and spaces linked to it Library collections area fixed client-service point Interactive spaces Lounges, "oases" Quiet areas
2930 1600 140 290 600 300
The collections area and spaces linked to it Library collections area fixed client-service point Interactive spaces Lounges, "oases" Quiet areas
Learning and doing Provided area in design (m2) Children's world 1030 Workrooms (for clients) 130 Personal office area (for clients) 120 Music, recording and video studio 170 TV and radio studio 440 Digital-physical workshop 70 Listening, viewing and games room 100 Teaching, group work and meeting spaces 1755 Staff facilities 520 Office facilities 430 Staff lounge 235 Changing and washrooms 30 WCs 200 120 Library logistics and library material handling facilities 180 Library collections storage 40 Returns automat room Library material handling 835 240 Service spaces 330 IT and other equipment areas 265 Building management monitoring and server room 0 Cleaning facilities Refuse store 2930 Building maintenance store 1600 Service and loading area 140 Distribution substation 290 600 Programme floor area in total (m2) 300
Learning and doing Children's world Workrooms (for clients) Personal office area (for clients) Music, recording and video studio TV and radio studio Digital-physical workshop Listening, viewing and games room Teaching, group work and meeting spaces
1780 660 150 210 70 50 100 160 380
Staff facilities
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Helsinki Central Library Main lobby and central public service spaces Lobby functions Public toilets Public services Meeting and lounge area Stage Pop-up info spots (space reservation) Events spaces Cinema Multi-purpose hall Furniture and stage prop storage, Lobby area Back stage Living lab Library exhibition space Rentable exhibition space Exhibition spaces, local storage points Spaces for external service providers Café Restaurant Public sauna Reservation for commercial premises
1780 660 150 210 70 50 100 160 380 475 315 50 60 50 480 200 80 200 710 60 50 80 60 40 350 20 9995
Top: Entry view to the library with the facade hollowed out by the lobby crystalline to expose the objectified multifunction hall as an iconic element. Right: View from inside the Multi-function hall out to the reading room forming a layered series of spaces. Crystalline allows outdoor courtyard access and serve as light monitors to provide the much need winter solar penetration
Helsinki Central Library
Open International Architectural Competition
ID K5ISL1UL
:
Panel 07
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