International competition. Our proposal achieved an accesit prize out of 474 competition entries. As opposed to the modern containers of art that modern museums have become, we defend an approach to the more classic museum concept, based on the succession of carefully proportioned exhibition halls. The sum of this basic exhibition unit of 127m2, constitutes, as a starting point, the total volume of the building

The architectural sense is based both on the spatial proposal and on its interpretation of the urban space in which it is located, determined on the one hand by the axiality of Finlaysoninkatu, which vertebrates the building along its route, and on the other hand, by the frontality that gives the place the condition of edge towards the Wilhelm von Nottbeck Park. 

The idea the project originates from is expressed in the empty space generated by the displacement of the volumes that make up the whole, which runs along the building, from top to bottom, expanding and compressing itself through the different levels, favouring the entry of light and allowing views over the Finlayson palace. This atrium is the protagonist of the proposal, and structures and organizes the exhibition space around it, while becoming the image that visitors will keep in their memories of their visit to the museum.

At the corner with Kuninkaankatu an open urban space is generated, visually and spatially linked to the interior of the museum and the park through the empty space that holds the common areas: reception, café, museum shop, cloakroom, and the rest of didactic uses. 

Each room can be made independent from the rest, so that they can be visited by entering each one from the atrium, or by going from one to another, depending on what is needed at each moment: a single exhibition, several, permanent or temporary collections, etc.

The natural light has been controlled inside these rooms, so that they all have the same zenithal illumination, which can be easily regulated.

Although all the rooms have the same surface area, there are differences that give them an individual character. On the first floor they are 4.5 m high, while on the second floor they are 6 m high. Those located at both ends have movable partitions, so that they can be joined together, forming larger spaces, and finally the one located towards the access has double height and faces the outside through a large window: the best image for an advertising campaign for the new museum.

The colour of the building, designed in glazed ceramics, will play with the reflection of the colours around it, giving it a velvety appearance, which will contrast with the natural environment in all seasons. 

The proposal intends to balance on the fine edge between the necessary public character of a museum and the intimacy and serenity of the interior spaces, among references to timeless architecture and the elegant constructive solutions of the modern language, to achieve an integrative, serene and representative image of the spirit of the Sara Hildén Foundation.