Imagine this: a library consisting of 4 story high bookcases that actually move!Helsinki Central Library Competition, 2013.Architectural Concept
The "peepo-depo"
is a bright airy shed of information and culture for Finland.
Moving bookcases of people,
media units and lounges afford maximum flexibility and modulation of interior
spaces. When massed together, large expanses of floor are exposed for the multifunction
hall in the basement and the rooftop as well for special functions.
From the main lobby one can
see the dynamic movement of information and people- performances can even be
set up on the fly to elucidate and entertain. Poetically the moving bookcases
previous tenants of the site- the trains.
Circulation is focused on the heavy spine of the building while roof
leaves open up to air and light, festooning the interior with delight. A large
wooden box is suspended over the park, echoing the traffic tunnel underneath
and providing open air reading terraces and coffee spots.
Cityscape Concept
Instead of being paved over
and ignored, The tracks are reintroduced and celebrated, laying order to the ne
Helsinki Center Library and completing the urban markings from the west. A
polite citizen, the massing compliments the urban plan for the vicinity. On the
east, the dynamic movement of the bookcases add excitement to the street scene,
while the west facing the park is more serene, with playful openings piercing
the massive heat absorbing sculptural wall of Finnish Labrador Stone. A large
inviting urban stair in the park will lead people to adjoining multifunction
spaces underground.
The north and south
elevations echo train stations of the past, when free energy of the sun and
wind was harnessed effortlessly while the buzz of activity within was of
transient people coming and going. Here too people will enjoy this space at
various speeds, from data hungry gamers
to contemplative deep readers in the
lounges.
Structural Concept
An array of thin elegant
columns suspend beams and tracks of repetitive modules- in this case the 1.6 m
width of Finnish Railways. These align and guide the epic bookcases of four
stories with many small motors into myriad configurations, providing maximum
flexibility and economy of space (and a thrill ride for the kids!)
The basement is of raft
foundations as in a ship, ensuring the water table is undisturbed to protect
nearby structures of wood piles and connections to the planned tunnel are
anticipated and planned for with the loading.
The spine of circulation is
of load bearing sandwich composite panels and provides lateral stability to the
whole assembly.
HVAC and Green Concepts
The section is designed for
cross ventilation: flaps open between the suspended channel high performance curtain
wall and the lobby storefront, allowing fresh cool air in. As it heats up and
rises it vents out on the fifth floor terrace. As it flows through the
buildings, the generously planted winter gardens add humidity to the air
through trans-evaporation filtering particles and conditioning the air.
The west facade is a heavy
thermal storage device, heating up throughout the day and releasing its energy
slowly throughout the night. Eave lines are carefully designed to shade the
books and lessen glare in the summers, working in unison with deciduous trees ringing
the perimeter.
The floor plates are of wood
laminate, reclaimed where possible and treated non-toxically for durability and
sheen. These with the reflective panels work as light shelves, bouncing natural
light deep within the building.
The roof fins act as suppers
as well, scooping rainfall into high-ash concrete cisterns that moderate the pH
levels. This reclaimed greywater will flush toilets and water the plants.
Instead of a large
centralized AC system, many smaller units will be assigned to different zones
of the building, allowing for incremental improvement over the years, ensuring
the building performs better with age.
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