Rovaniemi Library

The municipal library is one of a group of three buildings designed by Alvar Aalto to form a civic and cultural centre for Rovaniemi. The library was built in 1965 and has one of Aalto's most successful late interiors with several changes of level and with lighting designed to exploit the low northern sun. It includes an exhibition room and small auditorium and, in the basement, a music library and museum. The exterior is faced with ribbed ceramic tiles. (text by J.M. Richards. 800 Years of Finnish Architecture. Vancouver: David and Charles, 1978. p179)