Finland’s New Museum of Architecture and Design is one step closer to reality as five finalist proposals have been unveiled in Helsinki for public comment. This stage follows a six-month design process involving some of the world’s most innovative architectural minds.
After attracting 624 entries in an international design competition launched in April 2024, the shortlist has now narrowed to five: City, Sky and Sea, Kumma, Moby, Tau, and Tyrsky. Each team was selected in December and given time to develop more refined concepts based on earlier public and jury feedback.
Residents and visitors can now view and comment on the proposals via the City of Helsinki’s Kerrokantasi platform, with the feedback window open until 31 July. These public insights will be taken into account before the final decision is made on 11 September.
The museum is set to be constructed along the Makasiiniranta waterfront in Helsinki’s South Harbour. Occupying a 10,050 square meter site, the space is envisioned as a key cultural anchor for the area. The museum will bring together the collections of both the Museum of Finnish Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki, totaling over 900,000 artefacts.
The competition emphasized critical values such as sustainability, urban integration, and accessibility. Jury chair Mikko Aho noted that selection criteria focused not just on visual appeal, but also how each concept addresses climate resilience and community function.
Kaarina Gould, CEO of the foundation behind the project, underlined the importance of the open, anonymous competition format. She called the initiative “an investment in cultural heritage” and highlighted its potential to fuel long-term economic growth.
Distinctive Proposals with Unique Architectural Identities
Each finalist presents a distinct interpretation of the museum’s mission and its relationship to the city:
- City, Sky and Sea uses curved walls, recycled glass façades, and a translucent roof to create a bright, open structure with panoramic views.
- Kumma takes a lower profile, allowing sightlines from Tähtitorninvuori Park to remain clear. Its angular, stepped forms continue inside and onto a seafront gallery.
- Moby features a wedge-like shape with sustainable light bricks and a sprawling rooftop terrace facing the sea.
- Tau opts for a modest rectangular form using glass, granite, and native woods like birch and pine. It also connects interior and exterior through transparent façades.
- Tyrsky, inspired by the sea, uses wavy zinc roofing, a central courtyard, and solid timber as its primary material.
A Space That Connects Design with Daily Life
The museum will not be limited to exhibitions. It will include a design library, a summer terrace, and host a wide range of public programs. These events aim to explore how design intersects with societal and environmental issues. The vision is to create a space where design is not just displayed but actively practiced and understood.
The total budget for the project stands at €105 million, with €70 million allocated to construction. Each finalist team was granted €50,000 for their participation, and the top three entries will receive additional prizes of €50,000, €35,000, and €25,000. Two more teams may receive purchase prizes of €20,000 each.
The competition jury includes leading figures from both Finnish and international institutions, including representatives from the V&A East, The World Around, and Aalto University. This cross-cultural panel brings a global perspective to a museum rooted deeply in Finland’s design legacy.
