See the Central Library! The exhibition of the competition entries is open 10.-16.5.

The City of Helsinki is holding an open international architectural competition titled “The Heart of the Metropolis” for the new Central Library. The first phase of the competition ends on 16 April. The competition entries will be exhibited at the Jätkäsaari Bunker between 10 and 16 May. The exhibition will be open on weekdays between 11 am and 7 pm and on weekends between 12 noon and 6 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to comment on the competition entries.

Hundreds of entries are expected for the competition. After the exhibition is closed, a panel of judges will begin their work and select between 6 and 8 entries that will qualify for the next round. These entries will be announced in September or October 2012. The final results of the competition will be published in June 2013.

The Central Library will be constructed in the Töölönlahti area. The objective is to create a vibrant and functionally versatile meeting place for people and an eco-efficient building of stature. In addition to actual library services, the building will serve as a venue for events and city residents’ projects and involvement.

The exhibition of the competition entries will also provide its visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the Bunker. The building has been conserved in Jätkäsaari as a monument to the district’s former life as a harbour. The Bunker, completed in 1972, was originally built to serve as a cargo warehouse for the harbour. Plans are currently being made for it to host several different functions to benefit city residents.

The street address of the Bunker is Tarmonkuja 2, 00220 Helsinki. Entrance to the exhibition will be through the west loading bridge of the Bunker, from the Itäinen Vaihdekuja side.

The architectural competition for the Central Library is part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 programme.

The exhibition is free of charge.