Kanopies A-D Museum, Helsinki

Together with Burton Hamfelt Urban Architecture, 2024

Our proposal, “Kanopies” for the new Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki seamlessly integrates the cityscape of South Harbour’s Makasiini Ranta district and the natural landscape of Tähtitorninvuori Hill, in a playful and unique architectural destination taking Helsinki to the next level of museum design. 

The design of “Kanopies” takes inspiration from movement: the swoosh of the harbor activity, the falling leaves from Tähtitorninvuori hill as they arc through the air, flow of tourists and locals and views to the city, to create a holistic integration of design, architecture, nature, and communities. 

The key elements of the program (main galleries, event and conference spaces with logistics and back of office) are efficiently clustered together on the busy sides on the South and West. Thus the North and Eastern sides can host a set of spaces with a calm character: Lobby, Cafe-restaurant, Projects and Workshops, inviting the visitors to meditate and reflect. 

Echoing the curves of the roof, a scalloped local timber cladding envelops the interior ceilings. The Main Lobby , connected to the Northern Market Square, further unfolds in a series of high and open spaces, with clear sightlines across the entire building and towards the water and Saaret development. 

Due to climatic conditions, Helsinki is one of the few cities in the world where nature is untamed and close to its inhabitants. We emphasize this character by proposing an accessible public roof, similar to a natural landscape along the pedestrian walkway. 

The roof functions also as an environmental shell for the museum, integrating climate control and natural energy gathering systems. With a focus on renewable materials, innovative lighting and rainwater retention systems, the design targets a very low energy consumption. 

Net floor area (NFA): 8169m² / Gross floor area (GFA): 9962 m²
Total budget of the project specified by brief €105 million

A busy shopping space is present on the South-West corner. By selling things related to various exhibition topics, the Shop becomes an iconic space. It is here where local designers mix with tourists. The Shop is backed by the Library to further stir the curiosity of visitors. 

Before the exhibition tour one can take a coffee break or lunch at the restaurant. A curved glass wall offers a glimpse inside the Projects and Workshop area, connected also to the Elevators Lobby. Here, designers and other locals can craft, 3DPrint, laser-cut etc. It is backed by the Technical Workshops for mutual inspiration. 

From the Entrance Lobby one is first greeted by the Small Gallery situated on the Podium. It acts as the heart of the building linking visually several spaces. It is a gift for the city, offering the possibility of exposing artwork visible for free. 

The Podium on Level 1 increases the flexibility of the building: It can accommodate extra visitors, at other times act as an extension of the galleries or host pop-up spaces. 

The Large Gallery is where nature is invited inside the museum from the Tähtitorninvuori, which stands as a background. It can be contemplated even during night time from far away over the sea. 

From the Large Gallery another set of wide stairs climbs to the Medium Gallery on Level 2. The space has a broad view towards Eteläranta. After the Medium Gallery, the visitors finally descend back on the Podium, close to the Small Gallery. For the general tourists the experience might end back on the Podium.

 *Tähtitorninvuori hill has been a close friendly neighbor from which the museum burrows its main silhouette : high on the South, with the large Gallery up to 10m height, the medium height Medium Gallery in the middle and the human scale entrance in the North. 

The Event and Conference space is situated on the last level. It also offers a multifaceted experience with the outdoor amphitheater on the North side, and a “Hidden” Lookout Space on the South : a romanticized surprise space, which peaks towards the sea and Tähtitorninvuori. 

After the exhibition tour it is time to continue the museum experience outdoors, with a hike on the roof! It is accessible to the public and it invites one to follow a certain path. The roof is made up of 4 surfaces cut and bent in order to respond to the surrounding context. 

First surface, shaped as an arch, offers an astonishing panorama over the port area and the sea. Second surface, on top of the entrance, is oriented towards the Market Hall and further towards the Market Square.It is equipped as an urban amphitheater, where the city is the backdrop of the stage. 

Climbing further on the third surface, the visitor can have a look over the lush roof gardens of the Saaret development. From Saaret people can visit the roof during lunch breaks.The last and highest fourth surface hosts a large number of photovoltaic panels and planted terraces. Underneath it stands the main HVAC space.