The skyline of the Guggenheim Helsinki Museum emerges as a sequence of soft golden waves undulating in the harbor.
To the north the volumes are low, to avoid shading the public realm and not to overlook the Palace Hotel; then they rise rapidly and decrease in the center of the building; towards the park the waves rise again and fall to the south, where they find a perfect balance with the harbor’s public realm. There’s a central slope between north and south so that the volume does not interfere with the main views from the park Tähtitornin Vuori, the Helsinki Cathedral and the Uspenski Cathedral.
The sculptural, organic shapes are designed to provide a new and clear landmark in the harbor; at the same time, they link up with the urban context and seamlessly connect the exhibition spaces and the waterfront, according to concepts of openness and accessibility.
The project proposal is based on the key concept of connection: a fluid landscape design combines the waterfront and the city center through the new museum, while the promenade becomes a covered passage between the harbor and the urban fabric.
The main entrance is in the north part of the area, where an organically shaped square welcomes the visitors. The tour flows naturally through an artistic promenade that crosses the whole building. The promenade is an urban place where one can have a sneak peek of the latest exhibition or just an excuse to walk under the voluptuous vaults. The promenade is a covered space warm in winter and pleasantly fresh in summer: it is an ideal place where one can stop for a break and spend some quality time. It is always open and independently of the exhibition space, it connects a bar with a multi-purpose zone and performance halls. It is place for all seasons, continuously changing.
Entrances, distribution and paths provide maximum flexibility of use: the inner spaces can be divided or combined according to different requirements, in order to allow facility operations in all seasons and over the full day.
The interiors are characterized by complex curved geometries which are enhanced by the use of Finnish wood, giving it a unique expressive emphasis.
Construction and environmental sustainability is achieved through a careful use of materials, considered in their whole lifecycle but, above all, it is inherent in the morphology of the building itself: the inner promenade is a flexible space, a buffer zone open to passively create environmental comfort for visitors and workers all over the year. There are essential benefits from the range of temperatures at different heights (levels). Thanks to the atrium “stack effect”, the temperature is hotter on the height floors where permanent activities are settled.
The design aims also at digital technology integration; the atrium, owing to its particular function and location, is the key point for digital art and performance.
The project for the new Guggenheim offers a strong and fluid design: it is a new landmark for Helsinki and a suitable museum for an international audience as well as local public.
