Seinäjoki Library Building, Finnish Architecture, Architect, Photos, Design

Seinäjoki Library : Building

Library Development in Finland – design by JKMM Architects

7 Nov 2013 + 4 Sep 2013

Seinäjoki Library

Design: JKMM Architects

Seinäjoki Library Building

photograph © Mika Huisman

Seinäjoen kirjasto

The key point of reference for the new library design was its location in the valuable environment of the civic centre created by Aalto – a masterpiece of modern architecture. The aim was to initiate a dialogue between the new and the old part.

photograph © Hannu Vallas

Dividing the new building into three sculpture-like sections was an important insight that helped to reconcile its large volume with the scale of the Aalto centre. On the other hand, it discreetly keeps distance from the outlines and materials of the old civic centre. The dark copper of the facades stands out from the whiteness of the surrounding Aalto buildings.

photograph © Mika Huisman

The multifarious interior spaces merge into each other in an open plan, opening up carefully designed views.

photograph © Mika Huisman

At the core of the new building’s interior design is a large central reading terrace, a venue for events and a place for spending time, which leads the visitor to the collections downstairs and, through a subterranean passage, to the old library. The building comprises a cast-in-place concrete structure that lent itself to the sculpture-like design. The panoramic, unobstructed views across the interiors were achieved by using challenging long-span beams similar to those used in bridge structures. The visual look is dominated by cast concrete surfaces aiming for an unfussy, rough feel produced by using uneven plank moulds and by leaving the surfaces unfinished after casting.

photograph © Tuomas Uusheimo

The perspective of sustainable development was taken into account in the design solutions. The high-quality building materials have a long life span. The compact overall shape, good thermal insulation values of the shell and air conditioning system with heat recovery guarantee that the building has a high energy efficiency value. In order to minimise the need for cooling, all large windows face north, minimising thermal loading from the sun.

photograph © Mika Huisman

Seinäjoki City Library – Building Information

Title: Seinäjoen kirjasto
Architect: JKMM ARCHITECTS / Teemu Kurkela, Asmo Jaaksi, Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, Samuli Miettinen
Collaborators: Aaro Martikainen, Päivi Meuronen, Teemu Toivio
Gross area: 4,300 sqm
Area of the site: 24,200 sqm

Seinäjoki City Library images / information from FTI

JKMM Architects

Seinäjoki Library Building – European Copper Architecture Awards 2013 Commendation

Location:Seinäjoki, Finland

New Finnish Architecture

Contemporary Architecture in Finland

Finnish Architecture Design – chronological list

Finnish Architecture News

Finnish Architecture

Library Buildings

Another Finnish library building by JKMM on e-architect:

Turku City Library
Design: JKMM

picture : Arno de la Chapelle
Finland Library

Another Seinäjoki building on e-architect:

Periscope Tower in Seinäjoki
Design: OOPEAA Office for Peripheral Architecture

photo © Anssi Lassila
Periscope Tower Building in Seinäjoki – 11 Jan 2017