The project for the new Architecture and Design Museum of Helsinki emerges as a dialogue between nature, history, and urban transformation. Set within a layered context shaped by centuries of maritime and urban activity, the design both respects and reinterprets its surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the Finnish landscape and architectural heritage—from birch forests to crystalline ice formations—the building blends organic forms with geometric precision, creating softly curved facades that invite exploration from all angles.
Evolving from an initial solid concrete mass into a translucent fortress of textured glass, the project balances protection and openness. The glass facades filter light while preserving a sense of security, transforming the museum into a cultural beacon at the threshold between land and sea. The undulating roof, reminiscent of billowing sails, resonates with Helsinki’s skyline, offering a subtle but distinctive landmark that bridges the city’s past and future.
The materiality of the building reflects an experimental and sustainable approach. Recycled glass is heated and poured into wooden molds, where the interaction of molten glass and charred timber creates unique textured panels. This process embeds traces of the landscape and craft into the façade, while the repurposed timber enhances the interior’s warmth and tactile quality. The calibrated variation between textured and smooth glass provides visual permeability where needed, balancing enclosure and openness throughout the building.
Ultimately, the project is a holistic response to context, culture, and craft. It merges architecture and design, material experimentation, and sustainability, offering a contemporary interpretation of Finnish heritage. The result is a building that is at once protective and inviting, sculptural yet permeable, rooted in memory while embracing light, transparency, and the ever-changing relationship between land, sea, and city.
