The project derives from an International Competition organized by the Guggenheim Foundation and the City of Helsinki for a New Museum of Contemporary Art Guggenheim. The project is located in Helsinki’s South Harbor which is in the process of being transformed from an industrial and traffic junction into a new cultural and social hub of the city thanks to the presence of the Guggenheim Museum. The fundamental character of the competition is the importance of the Finnish context and the inclusion of a Cultural building that reflects the respect for the Finnish nature.

The New Guggenheim Museum seeks to promote three characteristic Finnish elements: the traditional urban context – represented by the historical center - , the natural context - reflected on the forests and sea -, also the art and culture - symbolized by the architecture -. These three elements have determined the typology, the orientation and the functions of the building.

The project seeks to extend an existing adjacent park to the shores of the Baltic Sea, incorporating innovative solutions for accessibility and programmatic flexibility, inviting visitors to explore the galleries and spaces of the Museum. The goal of the project is to connect the city with the sea shore, creating a green path that can integrate and enhance the natural and urban environment in Helsinki’s South Harbor. 

The project was carried out with respect towards Finnish context and culture, so the building shape was optimized and sustainable strategies were applied such as the generation of an atrium for greenhouse effect, the use of timber louvres on the facades to mitigate the glare, timber structure, heat recovery system and a green roof with insulated skylights to bring the natural lighting in the interior of the exhibition galleries. Furthermore, the project is developed along 5 levels containing an atrium with an spiral ramp surrounded by exhibition galleries, a conference room, stores, a cafeteria & restaurant on the rooftop with view towards the sea.