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L I B R A R Y (1965)
FLOOR SPACE 2 515 M2, 27,071 SQUARE FEET
VOLUME 13 000 M3, 459,090 CUBIC FEET
A decision to construct the Rovaniemi library per windows. The natural light filtering into
building was reached on New Year’s Eve 1959, the spaces is reflected off the curved ceiling
and the designer chosen for the project was Al- onto the book shelves. The reflection of this
var Aalto. The library building comprises elon- natural light off the curved walls is an ele-
gated office wings and a fan-shaped lending de- ment that Alvar Aalto has used widely in the
partment. The fan theme is one of the charac- designs of his library and museum buildings.
teristic features of the later works of Alvar Aal-
to. In addition to the Rovaniemi Library, this Light plays a central role in the later
theme is also evident in the Bremen Tower works of Alvar Aalto that are typical char-
Building and the Seinäjoki Library, with each acteristics for the boldly formed spaces with
piece always being suitably adapted for the various types of windows. In addition to the
surroundings and the characteristics of the Rovaniemi Library Building, the library of the
building. The fan theme is distinctly evident Benedictine Abbey, Mount Angel in Oregon,
on the northern façade of the library build- in the United States and the Pohjola House
ing as the principle element of the façade, located in Reykjavik, Iceland, are fine exam-
and this acts as a boundary for the south- ples of Alvar Aalto’s use of natural light. In
ern edge of the open courtyard of the Cul- the Rovaniemi Library, the light within the
tural and Administrative Centre. building is also emitted outside, bringing cul-
tural light into the darker twilight period of
The spacious lending department is sep- winter. The library also has many pieces of
arated into various divisions, in the centre of Artek standard furniture designed by Alvar
which are recessed reading spaces. Natural Aalto, as well as other fittings and lamps de-
light fills the joint space through the large up- signed at Alvar Aalto’s office.
