Tritonia is the common library and learning centre of three universities: Vaasa University, Åbo Akademi University’s Ostrobothnia Unit and the Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration Vaasa Unit. The building is located in the centre of the campus of Vaasa University. The placement and shape of the library follow principles discovered in the design competition for the campus from 1985.

Its location on the shoreline has strongly influenced the design of the library. The building is directed to face the sea view through its four-storey-high glass wall, and the floor levels forming the reading, and working terraces increasingly step back from the glass walls as one goes higher up in the building. The sea landscape forms the context from which the great reading hall is born, on the balconies of which the different library departments are located. The large space silences the visitor and ennobles the whole reading event. Seminar rooms and offices surround the reading and collection spaces. The tower part contains researcher rooms on five floors.

Text: Finnish Architectural Review 1/2002

Location

Yliopistonranta 7, Vaasa
63.10457842, 21.59156496

Images

View from the campus lawn, Tritonia Science Library
View from the campus lawn, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Entrance canopy, Tritonia Science Library
Entrance canopy, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Library as a waterfront, Tritonia Science Library
Library as a waterfront, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Window wall, Tritonia Science Library
Window wall, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Window wall, Tritonia Science Library
Window wall, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Entrance lobby, Tritonia Science Library
Entrance lobby, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Staircase, Tritonia Science Library
Staircase, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
View from the reading balcony, Tritonia Science Library
View from the reading balcony, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
View from the reading balcony, Tritonia Science Library
View from the reading balcony, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
View from the reading balcony, Tritonia Science Library
View from the reading balcony, Tritonia Science Library (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Section plan , Tritonia Science Library
Section plan , Tritonia Science Library (© Käpy & Simo Paavilainen Architects)
1st floor, Tritonia Science Library
1st floor, Tritonia Science Library (© Käpy & Simo Paavilainen Architects)
Ground floor, Tritonia Science Library
Ground floor, Tritonia Science Library (© Käpy & Simo Paavilainen Architects)

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