The City of Turku Main Library will receive the Concrete Structure of the Year 2007 award for its skillful and demanding architectural and structural engineering and its high quality implementation. Good cooperation between all parties and the skilful use of concrete has resulted in a structurally successful, elegant, and expressive architectural feature in the historic centre of Turku.

Concrete has been extensively used in the structures and internal surfaces of the building. The good properties of concrete are highlighted in the cast-in-situ frame, external wall, and stair structures, which are also exposed in the interior. Concrete structures and concrete surfaces play a significant role in the architecture of the interior and as creators of atmosphere.

The new library building has been erected on top of the technical facilities of Turun Puhelin, located in the basement. The technically demanding demolition and support work, as well as the dimensioning and implementation of the new structures, have required careful planning and preparation. Part of the library building loads have been distributed onto the columns of the old technical facility. High-quality, self-compressing concrete has been used for the thin interior columns and the cast roof bars, creating sophisticated concrete surfaces. The demanding nature of the building project has required high competence and cooperation between all parties, as well as good logistics.

The object is a good example of public building, where the extensive use of concrete has resulted in durable and high-quality construction work, and where a long life span and flexibility has been the basis of the planning. The object represents professional proprietorship and planning, as well as excellent implementation and craftsmanship.

The gross building area of the new Turku library is 6449 m² and the volume 39 500 m³.

The award for planning and implementation goes to

Proprietor: City of Turku Facility department
Architectural design: JKMM Arkkitehdit
Structural engineering: Narmaplan Oy
Main contractor: NCC Rakennus Oy

Jury for the Concrete Structure of the Year 2007 award

Chairman

Industrial counsellor Hannu Lіytіnen, Betonikeskus ry

Members

Architect SAFA Henna Helander, Finnish Association of Architects, SAFA
Construction Architect RIA Asko Eerola, The Association of Finnish Construction Engineers and Architects RIA
Professor Jari Puttonen, Finnish Association of Civil Engineers RIL
MSc (Techn.) Andrea Colussi, Concrete Association of Finland
Chief Editor Veijo Käyhty, Rakennuslehti magazine

Secretaries

Architect SAFA Maritta Koivisto, Suomen Betonitieto Oy
MSc (Techn.) Olli Hämäläinen, Suomen Betonitieto Oy