JKMM Architects wins competition to design Museum of Architecture and Design Helsinki

Museum of Architecture and Design Helsinki by JKMM Architects

A design by Finnish studio JKMM Architects with sloped facades made from recycled brick has been announced as the winner of a contest for a design museum in Helsinki, which is set to be built on the site of the city's ill-fated Guggenheim museum.

Set to be built on a vacant plot on Helsinki's South Harbour, the museum will host exhibitions on the architecture and design of Finland, showcasing over 900,000 objects that explore the works of architects Aino and Alvar Aalto, Eero Aarnio, Eliel and Eero Saarinen, and design brands such as Marimekko and Nokia.

One of five finalists selected from 624 proposals, JKMM Architects' design will be built on a plot previously earmarked for the Guggenheim Helsinki, which was scrapped by the Finnish government in 2016.

JKMM Architects' design aims to be a flexible and inclusive cultural landmark that is welcoming to visitors, designed to stand out in its surroundings while complementing the scale of the neighbouring buildings.

Renders show a geometric building arranged around a triangular central atrium, with triangle-shaped windows puncturing sloped facades that will be made from recycled brick.

As well as exhibition space, the Museum of Architecture and Design Helsinki will contain a design library and an outdoor terrace wrapping the upper level.

Render of Museum of Architecture and Design Helsinki by JKMM Architects — Facades will be made from recycled brick

Construction on the geometric building is expected to commence in 2027, with plans to open the museum to the public in 2030.

"I hope that the planning and realisation of the new Museum of Architecture and Design can show the way for how new things can be built responsibly and with skill," said JKMM Architects founding partner Samuli Miettinen.

"Architecture and design are deeply human," he continued.

"They are born from dreams and longing, and they gain their meaning in the places where we can experience and live together."

Render of a triangular atrium — Spaces will be arranged around a triangular atrium

JKMM Architects' design for the waterfront museum was recently selected as the winning design in an international competition, in which it was known as Kumma.

"Kumma blends into the cityscape, protecting valuable views of the historic waterfront, while at the same time standing out as a recognisable landmark," said competition jury chair Mikko Aho.

"The use of recycled brick on the facade brings sculptural, architectural warmth, and the terrace surrounding the building strengthens the connection to the city."

Render of a triangular window overlooking Helsinki — An outdoor terrace will wrap the upper level

Founded in 1998 by Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen and Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, JKMM Architects has completed numerous projects in Finland, including the underground Amos Rex museum in Helsinki.

Recently, the studio completed a mixed-use building that united housing and a football stadium in Tampere, and an art hall in Tammisaari clad in glulam and black spruce.

The images are by JKMM Architects and Mir, and the video is by Younite AI.

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