During the past few days in Helsinki, we’ve had the good fortune to spend time in the new and already famous Oodi Central Library. I know what you’re thinking: one library is much like another apart from the architecture. Wrong! Oodi breaks all the usual preconceptions pushing libraries into a whole new realm.
At a full city block long with flowing contours offset by sharp modern lines, Oodi is a visual 3-storied treat. The roof flows like a gently rolling deep ocean swell. Patterned windows 30 feet or higher wall the 1st and 3rd floors flooding the area with natural light and views of the city (wonderful when it’s snowing out). The middle floor has angled wooden beams that create geometric boundaries to seating areas and study pods (large as well as private-many with computers). Also on the middle floor is a green area with living wall for wellness, a robotics lab, several recording studios, a bank of 3D printers, a craft area complete with knitting and sewing machines, a gaming lab, and two huge digital printers for photographers capable of 4-5 foot long images. The first floor offers exhibitions, a cafe, and a small child playground, while the upper floor has books, another cafe, peaceful reading areas (especially at the upwardly sloped wooden/terraced end of the building) study tables, and many potted trees that create a peaceful space.
Opening early at 8:00 am weekdays, students, office workers, the young and young at heart all gather here in peaceful serenity. I find it baffling how so many people can disappear into quiet solitude inside this wonderful building, yet it remains almost totally silent, peaceful, and uncluttered. This is a must see if in Helsinki-even if you want to take rest break for a spell. It’s truly captivating and a great example of multi-use planning.
Note: Arrive early if you want a private study pod as they are popular and fill up fast on a first come/first served basis…Otherwise sit and lean against the glass at the sloped glass-walled apex to enjoy a few quiet moments looking down over the city and the top floor.
3D printers and robotics lab
Need to make a copy?
Green time (change those brainwaves)
Meg and Liam doing schoolwork
Meg “reading” 😉