Architect
Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects
Competition
2000
Completion
2004
Gross area
3600 m²
Category
Assembly buildings
Tags
colour competition courtyard glass library skylight wood

The Main Library of Rauma has a significant role to play in the townscape. It acts as a unifying element in the field of space formed by buildings of different ages and a park. The low-built library, with its timber façades, refers to the delineation of urban areas in Old Rauma, the town’s historic centre, and the element of surprise contained therein.

 

The transparency of the library building communicates the openness of its operation. Towards the canal the library forms sheltered courtyard spaces, which can be used for theatrical performances and other events.

 

The principal part of the building has a reinforced concrete frame, with the exception of the reading room, which has a frame of glue-laminated timber. The façade materials are painted timber and glass. Silkscreen printing was used to create patterns emulating the lightness of lace, in the making of which Rauma has a long tradition, to the glass parts of the façade.

 

The building is based on the Lahdelma & Mahlamäki’s winning entry ”Laituri” (Pier) in an invited architecture competition in 2000. The principal architect of the building was Ilmari Lahdelma.

 

Source: Finnish Architectural Review 6/2004

Location

Alfredinkatu 1, Rauma
61.12642944, 21.50207258

Images

East elevation, Rauma Main Library
East elevation, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
View from the canal, Rauma Main Library
View from the canal, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
View from the canal, Rauma Main Library
View from the canal, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
East elevation, Rauma Main Library
East elevation, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Courtyard, Rauma Main Library
Courtyard, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
South elevation, Rauma Main Library
South elevation, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Building illuminates the landscape in the night time, Rauma Main Library
Building illuminates the landscape in the night time, Rauma Main Library (© Voitto Niemelä / MFA)
Glass elevation, Rauma Main Library
Glass elevation, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Main entrance, Rauma Main Library
Main entrance, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Lending deparment, Rauma Main Library
Lending deparment, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Lantern, Rauma Main Library
Lantern, Rauma Main Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Site plan, Rauma Main Library
Site plan, Rauma Main Library (© Lahdelma & Mahlmäki Architects)
Floor plans, Rauma Main Library
Floor plans, Rauma Main Library (© Lahdelma & Mahlmäki Architects)
Section plan, Rauma Main Library
Section plan, Rauma Main Library (© Lahdelma & Mahlmäki Architects)

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