VÄKKÄRÄ

“Väkkärä” sets an inspiring stage for the future of cutting-edge design culture in Helsinki. Approaching the museum along the Baltic shoreline, its planes appear to unfold from the sky. Arranged in a spiral around a triangular core, three generous roof pitches extend to the ground, forming canopies that shelter inviting outdoor spaces. Reinterpreting the vernacular pitched roof through a subtle maritime metallic finish, reminiscent of cladding on seafaring vessels, the museum reflects the shifting hues of sky and water, blending harmoniously with its surroundings. Both enigmatic and familiar, its iconic form sparks curiosity and invites discovery.

In contrast to its mysterious, sheltered exterior, a warm, timber-rich interior unfolds. Locally sourced timber construction is celebrated through exposed structural elements and a dark wood finish. Triangular openings in the façade frame expansive views of the water, park and city, connecting the interior to Helsinki’s distinctive urban landscape.

Mindful of its prominent setting, the museum maintains a compact footprint, allowing the space between the building and its urban fabric to celebrate both the surrounding context and the sculptural form. A seamless vertical journey, shaped by feature staircases and varied double-height spaces, enriches the experience of looking outward. The city becomes a living backdrop to the museum, anchoring its future in Helsinki’s evolving design culture while opening new perspectives on the place it calls home.

DATA
Client: Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Foundation, ADM Real Estate Company
Use: Museum
Budget: €105 million
Bldg. Area: 10,050 m²
Featured material: Steel
Status: International Design Competition

CREDITS
Architect: LUCA POIAN FORMS
Team: Luca Poian, Anoushae Eirabie
Images: BS ARQ