Finnish construction firm YIT has commenced work on the Helsinki Central Library site in Finland.

Project management for the site, which is located in the vicinity of Helsinki Central Railway Station, has been handed over to YIT after completion of earthworks and the concrete structure works of the basement by Maanrakennusliike E.M. Pekkinen.

Designed by Arkkitehtitoimisto ALA, the project will transform the site into a modern library, a public meeting place and an energy-efficient building, adding to the concentration of cultural architecture in the Töölönlahti area.

Estimated to cost €98M, the library will cover a gross floor area of around 17,000sq m and will open its doors in December 2018.

YIT project manager Jorma Kontturi said: “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.”