Oodi

Oodi Helsinki Central Library is a public library in Helsinki, Finland. Opened in December 2018, it is part of the Helsinki City Library network and is designed to serve as a cultural and civic hub for residents and visitors.

The library is located near the Helsinki Central Railway Station, opposite the Parliament building. It was designed by the architectural firm ALA Architects and built as a flagship project for Helsinki’s public library system. The building features a three-story volume with a timber and glass exterior and a warm, light-filled interior. Its design emphasizes flexibility, openness, and user-directed activities, with a rooftop terrace providing outdoor space.

Oodi offers traditional library services alongside a wide range of contemporary amenities. It provides spaces for reading and study, a children’s area, and various meeting rooms. The facility includes maker spaces and digital production labs with equipment such as 3D printers and other tools for hands-on creation. It also houses studios for recording, film, and media work, enabling residents to produce creative projects. The library accommodates events, talks, performances, and screenings within adaptable venues and common areas. A café and other public services round out the offer, making Oodi a multipurpose cultural venue as well as a lending library.

Since its opening, Oodi has attracted large numbers of visitors and has been widely covered in national and international media. It is frequently cited as a landmark example of modern public libraries, combining architectural ambition with a broad mandate to support learning, culture, and community engagement.