Art can effect change by extending our intellectual landscape; the sea also offers such a potential though the physical exploration of other lands and cultures. Our design places timber vessels on the quayside that provide a container for the intellectual journey on which art can take us and by doing so fuses the experience of great architecture with contemporary art and reaffirms the idea that art has the potential to effect change. These vessels sit under a publicly accessible, landscaped roof within a glazed public concourse that allows views in, out, between and through. This openness reflects the ideal of a democratic, inclusive, society.
The main exhibition spaces/vessel are linear and extend out from under the roof to provide a focal point for the museum with a tower at one end (with high level dining and view points) signaling the museum’s intent both to the arriving sea traveller and city dweller. This creates both an exemplary museum and an internationally recognized symbol of Helsinki.
A simple palette of materials (clear glass, natural/charcoal timber, painted steel and granite) reinforces the link with the historical maritime location and the tradition of timber use in Finland.
The practice created separate recognizable volumes/vessels for the key functions and provided a large roof under which to put these vessels and a large internal public concourse to enclose the volumes.
