/ FEATURE /
/ WORDS ELISE MAK
REINVENTING LIBRARIES Once thought to be on the brink of extinction, public book depositories are now finding new ways to connect with the community.
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ibraries are where people read and interact to find inspiration. Unusual designs can enhance the book-borrowing experience, as well as the connection among individuals and between humans and nature. As modern technology allows everyone to get information anywhere, anytime, many predicted that libraries would become obsolete. But the role of libraries has evolved to be a place for social gatherings, and architects have adopted creative designs to reinvent libraries as a lively venue, rather than just a warehouse of books. We look at three libraries with unconventional designs to see how they are good examples of placemaking.
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OODI, HELSINKI CENTRAL LIBRARY, FINLAND Opened in December 2018, Oodi is described as the government’s gift to its citizens. Finnish architecture firm ALA Architects is behind the design of this 17,250m2 library that features glass and steel structures and a wooden facade. Sitting in the heart of the capital of Helsinki, Oodi is open to all and divided into three levels: an active ground floor for public events, a peaceful upper floor dubbed the “Book Heaven” and an enclosed middle floor for both noisy and quiet activities. It embodies communication, openness and harmony, reflected in a design that
/1 Sitting in the heart of Helsinki, Oodi features three distinct levels: an active ground floor, an enclosed in-between volume for more specific functions, and a peaceful upper floor that offers a panorama of the city centre.