One of Finland's last state-funded library construction projects will be completed when the renovated and expanded Kankaanpää City Library opens its doors after a renovation that lasted just over a year.
The expansion will give the library an additional 400 mXNUMX of space.2, with a total space now totaling 1200 m2This corresponds to the national size recommendation for libraries. The total budget of the project was approximately 2,5 million euros, of which the state grant granted by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southwest Finland was 750 euros and the city's own share was 000 million euros.
An energy-efficient library that lasts
“When designing the premises, the goal was to create a library that would withstand use, both in terms of its technology and its premises,” says the library director. Aini Lähteenmäki.
The architecture is based on the premise that the library should be adaptable and sustainable, which is reflected in the furniture purchases, among other things. The color scheme was designed to retain references to the 1970s spirit of the building's construction.
– Active staff participated closely in the design of the furnishings and interior, says Source hill.
The construction also took into account the possibility of using a self-service library later in the future. Among other things, a separate front door was built into the newspaper room.
Special attention has been paid to energy efficiency. The library has had solar panels installed on its roof during the renovation, and the goal is that the 20 kWp system will produce part of the entire building's electricity needs. The lighting in the spaces has been implemented intelligently with LED lighting. The entire space is bright and spacious, thanks to the tall facade windows, which also create an impressive overall appearance for the building.
The architects of the library project were Kirsti Sivén and Asko Takala Arkkitehdit Oy, with the main architects being Asko Takala ja Tuula Nurmi. The contractors were from Kankaanpää. The construction contractor was HTL Rakenne Niinisalo Oy. The library furniture was purchased from BTJ Finland Oy, and other furniture from Isku Oy. In addition to the furniture purchases, the design was also purchased from both companies.
Art is on display in the library
A work of art was acquired for the library's lending department and reading room extension using the so-called percentage principle. This is also a common practice in Kankaanpää. The work was selected through an art competition organized in connection with the project, which was won by a visual artist who graduated from the Kankaanpää unit of SAMK Kuvataide. Julia Kukkonen with his work Focus Pinea.
The renovated and expanded library will open on Thursday, February 22.2.2018, 11 at 11 a.m. After that, the library will operate during normal opening hours, i.e. weekdays from 19 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 14 a.m. to XNUMX p.m.
Additional information:
Aini Lähteenmäki
Library Director, City of Kankaanpää
044 577 2422
[email protected]