Information about the architecture of the Library of Parliament
The Library of Parliament moved from the Parliament Building to its current premises in 1978 following the completion of the Parliament Building Annex designed by the architectural firm Pitkänen, Laiho and Raunio.
The interaction with the architectural and interior decorative line of the Parliament Building implemented in the Parliament Building Annex also extends to the library. The line chosen is based on the functionalist features originally present in the interiors of the Parliament Building.
The open space arrangement characteristic of functionalism can be seen in the lobby and fixtures of the library with openings articulating the division of floors, columns with a shiny surface, large surfaces of squared glass and decorative fixtures that combine dark flame birch with steel. The polished granite used in the lobby forms part of the rock species connection between the buildings.
(Suhonen Pekka, Eduskuntatalon laajennus ja peruskorjaus. In Hakala, Liisa-Maria, Suhonen Pekka (eds.), Suomen eduskunta: tausta, toiminta, rakennus. Eduskunta, Helsinki 1990, p. 103)
The building was protected by a decision of the Ministry of the Environment in 2008. The premises were renovated in 2012–2013 according to the design of Helin & Co Architects. Functional changes were made to the library premises in connection with the renovation.