Guggenheim Helsinki
The proposed Guggenheim Helsinki will be an innovative, multidisciplinary museum of art and design. It should be of the highest architectural quality, creating a meaningful presence in Helsinki and offering civic space where both residents and visitors can gather. A prominent site has been reserved for the building at the symbolic gateway to the city from the sea, and close to the historic center. The wider Eteläsatama area forms a significant regeneration zone.
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The building’s total anticipated building-related project cost is €130M, and the total site area is approximately 18,520 square meters. The total floor area designated for the museum building is approximately 12,100 square meters, of which approximately 4,000 square meters will be exhibition spaces. All areas of the museum should be conceived in terms of how they support social interaction and the experience of art.
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The museum building will include galleries, a flexible performance hall, educational space, a large cafe/bar, a smaller formal restaurant, administrative offices, practitioner spaces, collections storage, a retail store, and other facilities. Outdoor spaces for the display of sculpture and projects are also needed.
Finland leads the world in sustainable bioeconomy. Creative use of Finnish wood, one of the country’s greatest resources, should be considered. Additionally, the latest digital technology should be incorporated into the design.
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It was our intend to generate a design very much relating to the rich finnish nature and culture. In addition it should contribute to the urban structure of Eteläsatama.
We established an additional Marina and completed an existing arc of Marinas at the inner end of Eteläsatama to almost a “ring”, defining an area more private and excluding the large commercial seafaring.
Inspired by the finnish islands in general, we literally copied Valkosaari island in front of Eteläsatama, moved, rotated and docked it to our site. Finally a new marina is cut into it.
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The spatial concept is based on a spiralling circulation, such as in the GH New York. Initially it is cut into slices. In a next step the single slices were shifted apart, so the circulation can be rejoined at the opposite side. The volume was arched and is bridging back into the water, concluding with a new marina and sunken public plaza for outside events.
The exhibition spaces contrive from basic geometrical shapes for ideal exhibition conditions, framed by a floating space for circulation and further possibilities of displaying art. For the main exhibition area a classical museum layout was dropped into its previously defined shape. The circulation starts from the water, giving the lobby the most representative location. A massive core is holding everything together.
