Names of finalists in anonymous competition for landmark scheme revealed for the first time
A design by Finnish practice JKMM has been named as the winner in an anonymous competition to design a landmark new museum in Helsinki.
The Helsinki-based firm’s proposal, called Kumma, was unanimously chosen by judges after being whittled down from 624 entries in a huge international contest launched last year.
The Museum of Architecture and Design is envisaged as a globally significant visitor attraction showcasing traditional and contemporary design from Finland and across the Nordic region.
The 10,000sq m building, due to open in 2030, will be located on a prime waterside site on Helsinki’s South Harbour close to the city’s Old Town and within a buffer zone for the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress UNESCO world heritage site.
JKMM’s winning design was announced this morning at a prizegiving ceremony held at the Helsinki City Hall, attended by several high profile Finnish politicians and representatives from each of the five finalist design teams.
The identities of the finalist practices, which have been kept anonymous since the start of the contest, have now been revealed for the first time.
Founded in 1998, JKMM Architects is one of Finland’s most prominent architecture practices, responsible for several major projects in the country including Amos Rex art museum in Helsinki, Tammela Stadium in Tampere, University of the Arts Helsinki, Dance House Helsinki and Finland’s contribution to Expo 2020 Dubai.
It is currently working on an annex to the National Museum of Finland, also in Helsinki, due to open in 2027, and an annex to the Lillehammer Art Museum in Norway. The firm has twice been a recipient of the Finlandia Prize, the highest annual award for Architecture in Finland.
JKMM’s’ team was led by the practice’s founding partner and principal designer Samuli Miettinen and includes Akukon on acoustics, Granlund on engineering, MIR on visualisation, Pentagon Design on services and Ramboll Finland on structures.
A second prize of €35,000 was awarded to the City, Sea and Sky entry by Portuguese practice Cossement Cardoso. Third prize and €25,000 was awarded to Swiss practice Lopes Brenna for its entry, Moby, while a proposal called Tyrsky, designed by a collective of Finnish architects won the fourth prize and €20,000.
Meanwhile, a purchase option of €10,000 was made to secure the TAU design by the French practice, Atelier Orda.
About a fifth of the proposals came from Finland. After Finland, the most represented countries were Italy, the USA, France and the UK.
The museum said JKMM had answered the competition brief calling for a sustainable, flexible, inclusive and welcoming space which fulfilled the opportunity of the high profile site. Judges commended the design for being a clearly identifiable and original building which blended in with the surrounding urban fabric.
Chair of the jury Mikko Aho, Chair of the Jury said: “Kumma blends into the cityscape, protecting valuable views of the historic waterfront, while at the same time standing out as a recognizable landmark.
“The use of recycled brick on the facade brings sculptural, architectural warmth and the terrace surrounding the building strengthens the connection to the city.”
The new museum will replace former plans for a Guggenheim museum designed by French-Japanese practice Moreau Kusunoki which were scrapped by the city council in 2016 after locals objected to such a significant site being given to a global brand.
Construction is expected to start in 2027.
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