JKMM Architects extends 1980s library to create "public living room" for Kirkkonummi

Helsinki-based JKMM Architects has renovated and extended a library named Fyyri in the Finnish town of Kirkkonummi.

The studio doubled the size of the previous library and wrapped it entirely in a copper facade to create a counterpoint to the town's medieval stone church.

Kirkkonummi's library stands alongside a medieval church

"The core urban concept was to design a modern counterpart to the neighbouring medieval church," said JKMM Architects founding partner Teemu Kurkela.

"Together the two public buildings form the heart and brain of the small city of Kirkkonummi," he told Dezeen.

"The architectural concept was to absorb the old library within the new internal spaces and behind a contemporary copper facade."

A covered terrace was created in front of the existing building

Both the original 1980s structure and the extension were wrapped in copper shingle cladding to create a unified appearance.

"Copper is a material, which has a very long life span," said Kurkela. "Also, the neighbouring medieval church has a copper roof, demonstrating how copper represents permanence in a cultural building," he continued.

"The shingle patterns may bring to mind maritime images of nets, which is also fitting for the city with its long beautiful sea coastline and heritage."

The library is clad in copper. Photo is by Marc Goodwin

A 50-metre long sheltered terrace was created at the front of the existing building facing the church, while the core of the extension is a large reading room that has slotted windows facing the same direction.

Within the reading room, the fair-faced concrete posts and beams supporting the windows filter the light to create an effect described by the studio as "daylight rippling through a forest of trees"

The extension contains a large reading room

Alongside the reading room, the 4,700-square-metre library contains a variety of community spaces including exhibition areas, spaces for events, rooms for toddlers and youth clubs as well as a large cafe.

"Kirkkonummi library is a truly multifunctional building, a community centre that feels like a public living room for all the residents," explained Kurkela.

"Libraries are no longer focused on books, the contemporary idea is to bring people together under an umbrella of knowledge."

The windows are flanked by fair-faced concrete posts. Photo by Pauliina Salonen

JKMM Architects aimed to create a variety of spaces within the library to accommodate the building's range of uses, with awkward spaces in the existing structure used to create more intimate spaces.

Throughout the building, the interiors were finished with white walls combined with slatted timber walls and ceilings.

Timber furnishings and felt upholstering in subdued colours complete the calm appearance.

Interiors have slatted timber walls. Photo by Pauliina Salonen

"Fyyri's interior was designed to be welcoming and also intimate in a way that enables everyone to find their rightful home in the building," said JKMM's interior architect Tiina Rytkonen.

"By reusing the 1980s structure, the interior also has the sort of unanticipated spaces that come with working with older structures. There are cosy spaces and hideaways too perfect for children’s stories."

Areas in the 1980s building were renovated

Established in 1998, Finnish studio JKMM Architects is led by Kurkela alongside Asmo Jaaksi, Samuli Miettinen and Juha Mäki-Jyllilä.

The studio previously designed a copper-clad library for Alvar Aalto's historic Seinäjoki civic centre and created a series of domed subterranean galleries for the Amos Rex museum in Helsinki.

Photography is by Tuomas Uusheimo unless stated.

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