Voice Your Opinion on Finland's New Museum of Architecture and Design in Helsinki

John Hill | 18. junio 2025
Finalists in design competition for the New Museum of Architecture and Design in Helsinki, L–R: City, Sky and Sea; Kumma; Moby; Tau; and Tyrsky. (All images are courtesy of Architecture & Design Museum Helsinki)

It's been six months since images of the five shortlisted proposals for the New Museum of Architecture and Design were revealed, selected from a whopping 623 entries. Just as the December 2024 announcement included a round of public input, this week's unveiling of developed designs is accompanied by a final round of public feedback: Visit the City of Helsinki website by July 31 to comment on the proposals City, Sky and Sea; Kumma; Moby; Tau; and Tyrsky. A few images and brief details on each of the five finalists are below.

City, Sky and Sea

City, Sky and Sea: The building’s facades consist of cast panels made of recycled glass. The main entrance to the building is located on the side facing the Market Square.

“Due to its curved walls and roof, the new building gives a tent-like impression. The facades of the building consist of cast panels made from recycled glass. The museum has been designed with a large staircase in the central lobby and exhibition spaces around it following the curved forms of the facades. In addition to a translucent glass roof, two terraces have been placed on the roof—one facing the Market Square and the other facing the sea.”

City, Sky and Sea: A glass roof filters light into the building’s lobby.
City, Sky and Sea: The ceiling of the exhibition spaces echoes the undulations of the roofs. Views of the cityscape open up from the windows.

Kumma

Kumma: The main entrance to the sculptural building is located on the side facing the Market Square.

“The new museum building has been designed to be compact and low in height, preserving views from Tähtitorninvuori Park towards the Market Square and Katajanokka. The proposal’s slanted, stepped walls, and the triangular forms of the facade continue into the interior and the main stairs. The exhibition floor overlooks the sea from a large terrace, which continues as a wrap-around outdoor gallery and balcony.”

Kumma: The staircases in the building’s lobby lead to the exhibition spaces.
Kumma: In the building’s exhibition spaces, the triangular shape turns into a dialogue between squares and triangles.

Moby

Moby: The main entrance of the building opens to the corner facing the Market Square and the sea. The building features a large window facing the Market Square.

“The new building is designed with a wedge-shaped footprint, leaving space on the side for views from the waterfront towards Tähtitorninvuori Park. The interior of the building offers large views of the surroundings. The facade of the building is made of recycled light-bricks. On the roof is a large terrace with a view of the sea.”

Moby: A view of the sea opens from the building’s lobby.
Moby: A view from the high gallery space enables a dialogue between the exhibition, the building and the surrounding cityscape.

Tau

Tau: A view of the building as part of the surrounding urban environment.

“The rectangular building is low in its height and the large glass facades connect the interior of the museum to the building's surroundings. The building materials are glass, granite and different wood materials such as birch and pine. There is a large terrace on the roof.”

Tau: A view of the building’s lobby, which opens out to the sea and the Market Square.
Tau: A view of the building’s exhibition spaces. The exhibition spaces can be partially closed with curtains.

Tyrsky

Tyrsky: The building’s main entrance opens towards the Market Square. When viewed from the sea, the building’s roof forms wave-like shapes.

“The building, with its curved roof and zinc-sheet cladding consists of rectangular volumes. In the middle of the building, there is a small inner courtyard, which also allows daylight into the centre of the building. The undulating roof draws inspiration from the sea and its rhythms. The proposal uses solid timber for both load-bearing structures and interior surfaces.”

Tyrsky: The lobby offers a view of the sea and the seafront promenade. The lobby’s solid wood ceiling repeats the curved shape of the roof.
Tyrsky: The exhibition spaces are located on three floors. The tallest exhibition space is 10 metres high. The structure of the building is exposed in the exhibition spaces.

Otros artículos de esta categoría