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A construction site always looks more like a field experiment than an industrial process. In all fairness, the site of Helsinki\u2019s Central Library<\/strong> site looks well organized and clean. The impressive steel structures suggest that the building will be something special.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve heard the words unique<\/em> and challenging<\/em> many times in reference to the new central library. The project epitomizes the old construction-industry saying that \u201cwe\u2019re always building a prototype.\u201d Some see that as a curse, some think it\u2019s what makes the industry interesting.<\/p>\n Although the idea of a new city library dates back to 1998, the city of Helsinki didn\u2019t organize an architectural competition for the new building until 2013. The opening of the library was originally set to coincide with the centennial of Finland\u2019s independence in 2017, but the library\u2019s projected opening is now slated for December 2018. The Finnish government is providing \u20ac30 million of the \u20ac96 million budget.<\/p>\n The competition\u2019s winner, designed by ALA Architects<\/strong>, was an excellent choice. It is an 18,000-square-meter library of the future where people, not books, dominate. The design features a large curvilinear fa\u00e7ade made of wood and large undulating wooden ceilings, with an inviting and exciting exterior and interiors. The use of wood to this extent is exceptional for a public building in Helsinki.A winning design<\/h2>\n