Architects Maren Nielsen, Laura Hämäläinen, Teemu Kurkela Location Kaarlenväylä 3, Oulu Gross area 7 330 m2 Completion 2025 Original building Marjatta and Martti Jaatinen 1982
Photos Toni Pallari, Hannu Rytky Drawings JKMM Architects
The library, opened in 1982, and the theatre (1972) next to it are part of the monumental centre plan drawn up by Marjatta and Martti Jaatinen in 1965. In front, under the snow, is Urho Kähkönen’s environmental artwork Blue Island. Photo: Toni PallariThe library’s glass wall offers a view toward the city. Photo: Toni PallariMarjatta and Martti Jaatinen’s original plan from 1965 included a theatre, city hall, concert hall and office tower located on an infill island, as well as office buildings surrounding the market square. Model photo: Architecture and Design MuseumThe new café on the first floor, which opens onto the main staircase, is located on the site of the former newspaper room. Photo: Toni PallariThe interior design by Studio Nurmesniemi has been preserved and supplemented with new furniture as needed. Photo: Hannu RytkyThe adult section’s original yellow accent colour is also carried through to the new furniture. Photo: Toni PallariOne of the library’s most impressive spaces is the two-story lending space (adult section). Photo: Toni PallariSection.Concealing new technical installations within the structures meant that the original aluminium cassette ceilings had to be dismantled and replaced with identical panels. The photo features the children’s section. Photo: Toni PallariThe new shelves in the children’s section feature sitting nooks. Photo: Toni PallariThe original chipboard bookcase frames had deteriorated and were replaced with new ones modelled on the originals. The wooden shelves were reused.The former storage floor now houses a children’s cultural centre. Photo: Toni PallariChildren’s cultural centre. Photo: Toni PallariSection.Glass walls open up views between floors. Photo: Toni PallariThe third, “quiet” floor houses, among other things, a newspaper room. Photo: Toni PallariThe auditorium seats were upholstered in a striped fabric similar to the original, but the blue-and-white color scheme was changed to red. An opening was created at the rear of the hall to connect it to the adjacent event space. Photo: Toni PallariGround floor.1st floor.2nd floor.3rd floor.The original shelf lighting fixtures were reinstalled in the new shelves in adults’ section. Photo: Hannu Rytky
