Metso Library Celebrates 40 Years as Tampere's Iconic Architectural Landmark

Tampere's Metso main library marks its 40th anniversary this autumn. The city will mark the milestone with a week of free events in early October, including architecture talks and a public book marathon the weeklong festival of events.

Designed by Raili and Reima Pietilä and completed in 1986, Metso was conceived as a deliberate provocation against the boxy, utilitarian architecture of its era. The project began with a 1978 competition called Soidinkuvat, which drew 120 entries. Construction took three years and involved extensive handcrafting by city workers. The building's aerial profile resembles a gamebird with a spread tail.

Olli-Paavo Koponen, an architect and historian who watched the build as a student, recalls Metso as "extravagant", notable for its copper and finely chosen materials. He says the Pietiläs offered a human-centered alternative to the period's prevailing rationalism.

Library director Niina Salmenkangas says staff are grateful for the jury's bold choice and for the city's investment in a visionary public building.

Tampere's archives put the original construction cost at about 69 million Finnish marks, with some seven million marks for furniture and equipment. The project came in under the 84 million mark budget by roughly 15 million. Converted to today's euros, the total equals about €28 million for 11,225 square metres, or roughly €2,500 per square metre. Metso opened to the public on 21 August 1986 and was formally dedicated on 10 October 1986.