Five developed proposals revealed in final phase of design competition for the New Museum of Architecture and Design

The open phase of the competition for Finland’s New Museum of Architecture and Design in Helsinki launched in April 2024, attracting 624 submissions from around the world. The five finalists were first announced in December 2024 and are named City, Sky & Sea; Kumma; Moby; Tau; and Tyrsky.

The process of developing the proposals began in February 2025, following an opportunity for public feedback, which was communicated to the design teams alongside guidance from the jury and project team.

“The aim of the competition is to design a new museum building in a fair and transparent way. Finland has a strong tradition of anonymous architectural competitions, which allows the jury to focus entirely on the content of the proposals.  Within the framework of anonymity, we wanted to give the design teams an opportunity for direct engagement with future museum users through a series of workshops, which we believe have led to stronger proposals. It will be truly exciting to see and hear what the people of Helsinki — and anyone interested in the new museum — think of the final submissions,” says Kaarina Gould, CEO of the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design.

“During phase 2 of the design competition, the jury gave thorough feedback on each of the five proposals. Our focus was on three priorities: firstly, on developing the functionality of the museum spaces so that they are adaptable for future needs. Secondly on how the building interacts with it's surroundings, creating an inviting urban environment, and thirdly on setting the right ambition level in creating a climate-resilient building. Our task now is to evaluate how the proposals meet the goals of the competition,” says Mikko Aho, Chair of the competition jury.

Now the five developed proposals have been unveiled for a final round of public feedback. Members of the public can submit comments until 31 July via the City of Helsinki’s Kerrokantasi (Link leads to external service) (voice your opinion) online platform. A summary of the public input will be compiled and shared with the competition jury before the winner is selected.

The result of the competition will be announced on 11 September 2025, after which the design process will continue based on the winning proposal.

The new museum strengthens Finnish cultural heritage and Helsinki's attractiveness as a cultural destination

The new museum of architecture and design in Helsinki will draw on the rich traditions and contemporary strength of design and architecture in Finland and the Nordic region. It will offer engaging programs that reveal the relevance and potential of design in a changing world.

The new building will also host high-profile touring exhibitions and offer attractive public services, from a design library to an open-access summer terrace.

“Design and architecture are such fundamental parts of Finnish identity that this competition is about much more than a building. It’s a long-term investment in our cultural heritage and shared future. Even during construction, the project will create jobs and drive economic growth, and once open in 2030, the museum will become a key attraction for Helsinki and Finland,” says Kaarina Gould.

The competition brief tasked participants with designing a museum that meets the urban and architectural demands of this historically important site, while also delivering on the museum’s goals of being flexible, inclusive, and welcoming.

Sustainability — ecological, social, and cultural — is a key principle guiding both the design and construction of the new museum. Helsinki has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and the museum project actively supports this goal across its operations.