Vallila Library and Daycare Centre · Finnish Architecture Navigator

Architect: Helander Leiviskä Architects Juha Leiviskä
Completion: 1991
Themes: Mind-Building – Finnish Libraries at La Biennale di Venezia 2018 Open House Helsinki 2019: Juha Leiviskä
Category: Assembly buildings Buildings for institutional care
Tags: library welfare wood

Vallila Library is, according to architect Juha Leiviskä, the first building where he succeeded to embody his ideas of the freedom of architectural form. The small, humble library and its neighbouring kindergarten are placed on a small plot within the historically protected wooden housing area Puu-Vallila. In the early plans, the library was proposed to be situated in a more central location along the main street. According to Juha Leiviskä, the final site was not his first choice but “option 4F”.

The focal point of the interior is what the architect calls ‘the piazza’, the highest space of the building. Leiviskä has had a lifelong interest and passion for Baroque architecture. Other themes that are associated with his architecture are the use of space as an instrument for light, harmonic systems of music, and the principles of humanity.

The text is an extract from the chapter ‘Option 4F’ of Mind-Building, Finland’s exhibition at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.