Lohja Main Library, The Lohja City Library

Ilmari Lahdelma, Lahdelma & Mahlamäki ArchitectsFinland

Lohja Main Library was completed 2005 and was opened to the public january 2006. Main Library is now a centre of public events and it is a popular meeting point for user groups of all ages. Library is provided with modern technology including 3 automated borrowing stations and one automated return system. Population of the Lohja City is 37000 inhabitants (2007).

Title of library in local language

Lohjan kaupunginkirjasto, Pääkirjasto

Year of completion

2005

Address

Karstuntie 3, 08100 Lohja

Size of library:

2700m²

Category of library

Public Library

More info on the building

http://libraries.fla.fi/lohja.html

Awards and recommended reading

-Nordic public libraries in the knowledge society, (ed. Wigell-Ryynänen, Barbro), København : Danish National Library Authority, 2006.

-Finnish architecture 0405 : exhibition and book, first presentation Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki, 14 June - 3 September 2006, (ed. Kasvio, Maija), Helsinki : Suomen rakennustaiteen museo, 2006.

Architectural idea or principle

The building has a clear status of a civic building in the townscape. Opening towards the town centre and the church are imaginative and appropriately located. The red brick cladding is in harmony with the surrounding buildings. The elevational composition is both controlled and vivid, ant the entrance invites people into the building. The organization of spaces is logical and the building well-functioning; interior views even dramatic.