YIT begins work on the Helsinki Central Library site

YIT has started its project management contract on the Helsinki Central Library site today, Friday 18 November.

Maanrakennusliike E.M. Pekkinen was in charge of the earthworks and the basement’s concrete structure works. Upon completion, they have handed on the site to YIT who will continue with the construction work above ground.

The site under construction, located in the vicinity of Helsinki Central Railway Station, will turn into a modern library, a public meeting place for everyone and an energy-efficient building, constituting the latest addition to the concentration of cultural architecture in the Töölönlahti area.

YIT begins its contract with the cast-in-place work of the reinforced concrete structure and frame structure. There will be over two million kilos of steel frame structures, of which the most significant ones are the two longitudinal cased steel arches spanning approximately 100 metres. The temporary support structures for the steel arches will be erected in the turn of the year and permanent arch structures in early 2017. The structure solution enables the library’s vast open indoor space, and this means no pillars are required in the library lobby.

With its structural solutions representing new thinking, the Central Library will be a diverse project with ambitious energy and material efficiency targets. 

“We are excited to start the work on the Helsinki Central Library site. This project is an interesting one, but also technically very demanding, requiring an innovative expert approach to the job from its contractors,” says Jorma Kontturi, project manager at YIT.

Helsinki Central Library, with a gross floor area of around 17,000 square metres, is one of the projects launched to mark the centenary of Finland’s independence. Arkkitehtitoimisto ALA Oy is the chief architect of the project.

The library opens doors in December 2018, and its construction costs total EUR 98 million. 

Further information:

Jorma Kontturi, Project Manager, YIT Construction Ltd, tel. +358 40 861 9871, jorma.kontturi@yit.fi

Hanna Malmivaara, Vice President, Communications, YIT Corporation, tel. +358 40 561 6568, hanna.malmivaara@yit.fi

YIT creates a better living environment by developing and constructing housing, business premises, infrastructure and entire areas. Our vision is to bring more life into sustainable cities. We want to stand out by taking a genuine interest in our clients and with insightful urban development, committed project implementation and inspiring leadership. Our growth engine is urban development involving partners. Our operating area covers Finland, Russia, the Baltic countries, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. In 2015, our revenue amounted to nearly EUR 1.7 billion and we employ about 5,300 employees. Our share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.yitgroup.com