View to the main entrance.

Architecture and Design Museum

Open International Architecture Competition

Upper Class

LOCATION
Helsinki, Finland
YEAR
2025
AREA
9,900 sqm

Facing the long vistas from Market Square and Tähtitorninmäki, the museum's silhouette stands as an inviting public landmark. Along the waterfront, the roof descends to the level of passersby, offering shelter from the sea. This folded, horizontal form ties the museum to the area's historic cul-de-sac layout while echoing the organic patterns of Makasiiniranta's architecture. Active street-level spaces invite a wide range of visitors to engage with the museum’s offerings, reinforcing its role as a cultural hub.

Public engagement is central to the museum’s design. The roofs, envisioned as the museum’s "fifth facade," enhance urban resilience. Green roofs with native species contribute to local ecosystems by fostering habitats for pollinators. Meanwhile, the rooftop terrace and design garden provide panoramic views of the sea, merging architecture, nature, and community in a dynamic, forward-thinking vision.

Exterior view from Tähtitorninmäki.
Facade towards the shoreline.
Tähtitorninmäki museum.
Interior view of the main lobby.
Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki plan
Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki plan
Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki plan
Scale model view.