Guggenheim helsinki

The Guggenheim Helsinki Design Competition was established by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to create an inspiration design for both an exemplary museum of the twenty first century and an internationally recognized symbol for Helsinki.

THAA’s design concept would encapsulate and symbolise the past present and future of Finland.

A vision for a building with a simple but strong identity set in a unique maritime location that reflected the Nordic people’s affinity with nature and their environment.

The urban concept was to extend the parkland setting on the upper plateau down to the waterfront.

The building composition comprises of a metallic object set on an inclined plinth.

The plinth creates a sloping meeting point or public square for the people of Helsinki in addition to strengthening the pedestrian link between the waterfront and Tahititornin Park.

By utilising a simple palette of materials - concrete, wood, metal and glass, the building explores a relationship between transparent and solid surfaces and the sculpting of space through natural light.

The building is an exemplar in sustainable design.