The members of the public had a chance to vote for their favourites from among the Central Library competition entries in the exhibition of competition entries at Bunkkeri in May. The winner in the light-hearted competition was only separated from the runner-up by four votes in the form of heart-shaped stickers.
There were over 530 entries for the visitors to evaluate at the exhibition. They could choose the one nearest and dearest to their heart and their favourite among the entries and attach a heart-shaped sticker next to it.
Over 2,400 stickers were awarded. The exhibition had 2,600 visitors.
The exhibition was open to the public for 12 days altogether. After the first week of the exhibition (10–16 May) it was continued for a few extra days (22–26 May) due to its popularity. Both Finns and foreign visitors interested in the subject came to see the exhibition.
The entry number 126 called “Paper Sheets” gained the most heart-shaped stickers, 117 altogether.
Information about the public’s favourites will also be passed on to the jury of the architectural competition.
The top eight entries in the public vote
| Number of entry | Name of entry | Total number of hearts | |
| 1. |
126 |
Paper Sheets |
117 |
| 2. |
179 |
The Gateway |
113 |
| 3. |
385 |
A public extension of the park |
90 |
| 4. |
167 |
Book Forest |
83 |
| 5. |
522 |
The Töölönlahti Park Library |
58 |
| 6. |
149 |
KÄÄNNÖS |
58 |
| 7. |
534 |
Faberge Eggs |
40 |
| 8. |
22 |
SenSEEssay |
39 |
A panel to select the official winner of the competition
The “Sydämeni valittu” (“My heart’s choice”) voting is now over, but the members of the public can express their wishes concerning the Central Library by adding them to the Tree of Dreams at the Central Library website.
The official architectural competition will continue with the work of a panel of judges. The architectural competition panel has begun its evaluations at Bunkkeri. During September and October, the 6–8 entries selected for the next stage will be announced. This begins the second stage of the competition, in which the shortlisted competitors will have a chance to develop their entries further according to the guidelines given by the panel.
Winner announced in summer 2013
At the beginning of 2013, the shortlisted entries that have been developed further by the competitors according to the guidelines given by the panel will be displayed on the internet and in an exhibition. After this, the panel will begin the selection process and the winner of the competition will be announced in July 2013 at the latest.
The architectural competition for the Central Library is part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 programme.
Paper Sheets
The Gateway
A public extension of the park
Book Forest
The Töölölahti Park Library
KÄÄNNÖS
Faberge Eggs
SenSEEssay