The museum is set to open in 2030.
Finlands capital is set to welcome a major cultural landmark as JKMM Architects has been selected to design the highly anticipated Museum of Architecture and Design, following an intensive 18-month international competition that drew 624 proposals from across the globe.
The winning proposal, dubbed “Kumma” during the competition process, will transform Helsinkis historic South Harbor into a 10,050-square-meter cultural destination that promises to elevate Finnish and Nordic design onto the world stage.
The Helsinki-based practice has earned international acclaim for projects including the celebrated Amos Rex art museum, Tammela Stadium in Tampere, and Finlands pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Theyve twice received the Finlandia Prize, Finlands highest architectural honor.
The museum will sit on a vacant dockside site in South Harbor, within walking distance of Helsinkis Market Square, Alvar Aaltos famous Sugar Cube, and the beloved Esplanade Park. The site exists within the UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone of The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.
The jury praised the winning design for achieving something seemingly contradictory – blending into the cityscape while standing out as a recognizable landmark. The use of recycled brick on the facade promises sculptural warmth, while terracing strengthens the buildings connection to the urban fabric.
The museum will house over 900,000 artifacts documenting the work of internationally celebrated figures like Aino and Alvar Aalto, Eero Aarnio, Maija Isola, and the Saarinens, alongside iconic Finnish brands like Marimekko, Nokia, and Fiskars.
The facility will feature a specialized design library and an open-access summer terrace. The institutions mission centers on “democratizing the tools of design,” positioning design thinking as essential to addressing contemporary challenges.
Reflecting Helsinkis goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, the project prioritizes ecological, social, and cultural sustainability. The selection process included public workshops between design teams and user groups, ensuring community input shaped the final decision.
Construction begins in 2027, with doors opening to the public in late 2030.
