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Contact & FAQ

Illustration by Anja Reponen

Let's be in touch

Below you’ll find contact details of the team planning the new museum of architecture and design. We would love to keep you posted through our Newsletter.

Check also the FAQ for more information.

Hello!

We have published the implementation plan for the New Museum of Architecture and Design. The museum project is now moving forward based on the plan, but the planning never ends. If you have an idea you think we should hear, or a partner you think we should work with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. If you’re not sure who to reach out to, you can always email: hello@admuseo.fi. If you have a question regarding the design competition, email: designcompetition@admuseo.fi.

CEO, Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design

Kaarina Gould

kaarina.gould@admuseo.fi

Executive Assistant

Nathalie Vaittinen

nathalie.vaittinen@admuseo.fi

Administrative Manager

Erika Parvikoski

erika.parvikoski@admuseo.fi

Director of Development

Anu Kauppi

anu.kauppi@admuseo.fi

Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design

Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design was established in Helsinki on 28 April 2022. The Foundation was initiated by State of Finland and City of Helsinki. The aim of the Foundation is to promote and support architecture and design museum field in Finland, as well as promote, support and raise attention towards architecture and design.

The mission of the Foundation is to establish a new Museum of Architecture and Design of a high international standard. The new museum building will be located in Helsinki South Harbour. The Foundation is responsible for the fundraising for the museum and manages the museum’s capital. The Museum of Finnish Architecture, the Design Museum, and their substantial collections merged into the Foundation on 1 January 2024.

Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design is a supporting member of the Finnish Museums Association.

Chair of the Board of the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design is Timo Laitinen, and the Vice Chair of the Board is Anne Korkiakoski.

Members of the Board of the Foundation are:

Mikko Aho, Architect SAFA

Stefan Björkman, Managing Director of Föreningen Konstsamfundet

Pauli Kariniemi, Director General of the Ministry of Finance

Anne Korkiakoski, Board Professional

Timo Laitinen, LLM

Juha Lemström, Architect SAFA

Susanna Pettersson, CEO, Finnish Cultural Foundation

Anna Valtonen, Vice-Chancellor of Konstfack
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Statutes of the Foundation (in Finnish)

Foundation's invoicing instructions
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To contact the Board of the Foundation, kindly send a message to hello@admuseo.fi.

Design Museum & Museum of Finnish Architecture

The Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture have merged into the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design on January 1, 2024. The New Museum of Architecture & Design will become much more than the sum of its parts. The websites for the two museums have information about their exhibitions and programme of events, opening hours and contact details:

www.mfa.fi | www.designmuseum.fi

AD Museum Ltd.

AD Museum Ltd. was established by the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design in October 2023. AD Museum Ltd. works in collaboration with its parent foundation to maintain the operations of the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture, and promotes the establishment of the New Museum of Architecture and Design.

Chair of the Board of AD Museum Ltd. is Kaarina Gould, and the Vice Chair of the Board is Pauli Sivonen.

Members of the Board of AD Museum Ltd. are:
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Laura Aalto, Communications Director, Aalto University

Kaarina Gould, CEO, Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design

Heli Lehtonen, Financial Director, Metsähallitus

Jenni Reuter, Professor, Architect SAFA

Mikael Silvanto, Designer, Entrepreneur
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‍Pauli Sivonen, Museum Director, Serlachius Museums

‍Petri Tervonen, Business Director, Berner

Jemina Vainikka Lindholm, Manager of Learning and Public Programmes, Museum of Finnish Architecture and Design Museum

‍Katri Viippola, CEO, Association for Finnish Work

The operational staff of AD Museum Ltd. can be found on the websites of the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum:

‍www.mfa.fi | www.designmuseum.fi

Real Estate Company ADM

Real Estate Company ADM was established in August 2022. The real estate company is in charge of the design and development of the construction project for the New Museum of Architecture & Design, including organising a design competition for the new museum building. The company ownership is divided in half between the City of Helsinki and the State of Finland, the main financiers of the project.

The real estate company cooperates closely with the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design.

Chair of the Board of Real Estate Company ADM is Juha Lemström, and the Vice Chair of the Board is Mikko Aho.

Members of the Board of Real Estate Company ADM are:
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Mikko Aho, Architect SAFA

Juha Ahonen, Head of the Culture and Leisure Division, City of Helsinki

Seidi Kivisyrjä, Head of Housing Production, Urban Environment Division
City of Helsinki
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‍Miika Kotaniemi, Director of Real Estate Investment, Rakli

‍Juha Lemström, Architect SAFA

‍Tero Meltti, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Head of Unit, Ministry of Finance

To contact Real Estate Company ADM, kindly send a message to hello@admuseo.fi.

Advisory Group

In November 2022, an advisory group was appointed for the New Museum of Architecture & Design.

The advisory group consists of the following members: Paola Antonelli, Liza Chong, Caterina Fake, Eva Franch i Gilabert, Indy Johar, Nimco Kulmiye Hussein, Ervin Latimer, Linda Liukas, Kieran Long, Joar Nango, Héctor Noval, Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen, Johannes Suikkanen, and Teemu Suviala.

The aim of the group is to critically evaluate the project development, challenge the planning of the museum’s concept and profile, and push forward the future proofing of the new museum.

Learn more about the advisors here

FAQ

About the new museum

What is the new museum of architecture and design?

Based on a thorough feasibility study (2018) and a concept study (2019), commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the City of Helsinki, an initiative to build a new museum of architecture and design in Helsinki has moved on to a concrete project phase. In spring 2021, the City of Helsinki and Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture appointed a high-level steering group to support and monitor the work, and formed a project organisation to draw up a comprehensive plan for founding a new museum. The implementation plan, based on which the final funding decisions can be made, was published in January 2024.

Should the decisions be positive, a design competition would be opened soon after. The new museum would be a significant platform for Finnish fields of design and architecture, a new destination for Finland and Helsinki, a hub for expertise and learning, and an active focal point for international discussion.

There is already a design museum and a museum of architecture in Finland, why is the new museum needed?

The new museum of architecture and design would merge two existing museums: the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum, and their collections, into one.

Both architecture and design have always been essential parts of the Finnish society and culture. They are also disciplines that are intertwined together. Currently, the two separate museums are both located in old and small buildings that were never meant for museum purposes. For several decades, the museums have had an urgent need to upgrade their facilities and be able to provide exhibitions and public programmes that would meet the level of ambition that Finnish architecture and design has to offer.

If implemented, the museum would be a unique meeting place and attraction for local and global visitors, providing new experiences in the centre of Helsinki.

What would the new museum offer?

A natural destination for design and architecture lovers, the new museum would also be a place for learning, sharing, and coming together for all curious minds. With new and innovative technologies, the whole world can participate in the museum’s activities and programmes.

A new museum building near the historic harbour in central Helsinki would be an attraction in itself, and the museum would offer state-of-the-art exhibitions and forward-looking public programmes, helping visitors explore the world and our societies through architecture and design. The detailed programme of exhibitions and events of the museum will be planned and announced later.

The implementation plan, published in January 2024, describes in more detail the contents and services planned for the museum.

For whom would the new museum be?

The new museum would be for everyone who wants to explore the world through architecture and design.

Whether the visitor is a design lover from the other side of the world, a local student visiting a museum for the first time, an expert conducting research, or anything in between, the museum offers a place for learning, sharing, thinking and doing.

Museum building and location

Where would the museum be located?

The new museum would operate in a new building located in Makasiiniranta, in Helsinki's South Harbour area. The City of Helsinki organised an international quality and concept competition for the design and implementation of the Makasiiniranta area in 2021–22. The design of the new museum building was not included in this competition. A separate design competition for the museum building will be opened once the final decision to found a new museum has been made.

The location of the museum is based on comprehensive studies conducted in 2018–19. In the studies, several different sites and also existing buildings were evaluated as possible options for the museum.

As a result, the South Harbour area was decided as a location for the museum because of its proximity to visitor and tourist flows and status as a central part of Helsinki’s maritime and cultural landscape.

When would the design competition for the museum building open?

In January 2024, the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design published the implementation plan for the New Museum of Architecture and Design, based on which the main financiers of the project can make the necessary decisions. Should the decisions be positive, a design competition would be opened soon after.

When would the museum open?

If a final commitment to finance and build a new museum will be made in 2024, a design competition would be opened soon after the decision. Based on the competition, a more detailed timeline would be made on the development, zoning and construction of the new museum building. According to the preliminary schedule, the museum could open in the new building in 2030.

What happens to the existing museum buildings?

The buildings of the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture are owned by Senate Properties, an unincorporated state enterprise. Senate Properties will decide about the buildings’ usage later.

Organisation and financing of the new museum

How would the new museum be financed?

The new museum’s financial model is based on three pillars:

1. An operational endowment of a minimum of 150 million euros. The annual proceeds of the endowment would support the museum. Currently, the City of Helsinki and the State of Finland have both conditionally committed to donate 60 million euros each into the endowment. In addition to the City and the State, four private foundations have also made conditional donations: the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation (20 million euros), the Finnish Cultural Foundation (2 million euros), the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (2 million euros), and Saastamoinen Foundation (1 million euros). According to the planned financing model, the endowment should be 150 million euros at a minimum.

2. Annual subsidies from the Ministry of Education and Culture. The new museum of architecture and design would have the status of a national museum in the fields it represents. A status that comes with responsibilities, stated in the Finnish Museum Law, and an increased annual subsidy to help fulfil those responsibilities.

3. Self-generated income through box office, sponsorship, retail, restaurants and other sources of revenue the new museum will seek in its business model.

How would the new museum be operated?

Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design was established by State of Finland and City of Helsinki on 28 April 2022 to establish a new Museum of Architecture and Design. The Museum of Finnish Architecture, the Design Museum, and their substantial collections merged into the Foundation on 1 January 2024. The primary focus of the new museum foundation is to manage the capital and the collections.

Museum operations and services are maintained by AD Museum Ltd., a company founded in 2023 by the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design. The operations of the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum were transferred to the new company at the beginning of 2024.

Project phase and decision-making

Who decides if the new museum will be built?

Key decision-makers in the process of founding the New Museum of Architecture and Design are the City of Helsinki and the State of Finland. The City and the State, represented by the Ministry of Education and Culture, would be the two major donors to the endowment fund of the new museum foundation. Each have conditionally committed to donating a maximum of 60 million euros. As a basis for decision-making, the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design has produced the implementation plan, which was published in January 2024.

Four private foundations – the Jane & Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, and the Saastamoinen Foundation – have also made conditional donations. The two cultural foundations would contribute 2 million euros each, the Saastamoinen Foundation 1 million euros, and the Jane & Aatos Erkko Foundation a donation of 20 million euros, which would be an exceptionally large donation in the Finnish context – the largest ever made to a cultural cause.

All potential donors have presented conditions that the project plan has to meet before they make a final commitment to donate funds to the museum. Many of those conditions have to do with financial risks. The overlapping condition, however, is to meet a high enough ambition level – to create an institution that is truly at a top international level and brings something new to the field of architecture, design, museums and urban culture.

What was the steering group and how is the project team organised?

In March 2021, the City of Helsinki and the State of Finland appointed a steering group to oversee and support the project phase during 2021-2023. The steering group consisted of 15 experts, including representatives of the State, the City of Helsinki, the Design Museum, and the Museum of Finnish Architecture, as well as other experts in relevant fields. The steering group was chaired by Timo Laitinen (LLM).

The project organisation started its work in May 2021 when the Project Director, Kaarina Gould, was appointed to lead the project. Since June 2022, Gould has also served as the Foundation's CEO. In September 2021, Reetta Turtiainen joined as a Project Manager in the project organisation. Kaarina and Reetta worked closely with the teams of the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum, as well as the City of Helsinki and the Ministry of Education and Culture, and multiple other stakeholders. The Ministry of Education and Culture also appointed Markku Inkeroinen, who started in August 2021, as a project manager for the museum project. Communications Manager Pyry Waltari joined the project organisation in March 2022.

The project organization operates under the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design, and cooperates closely with the staff of the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum, the City of Helsinki, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and many other stakeholders.

What is the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design?

The Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design was established in Helsinki on 28 April 2022. The Charter of the Foundation was signed by Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen, Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture Anita Lehikoinen and City Manager of Helsinki Sami Sarvilinna.

The mission of the Foundation is to establish a new Museum of Architecture and Design of a high international standard. The new museum building will be located in Helsinki South Harbour. The Foundation is responsible for the fundraising for the museum and manages the museum’s capital. The Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture have merged into the Foundation on 1 January 2024.

Timo Laitinen, Director General of the State Treasury, was appointed as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design. He has also chaired the steering group of the museum project 2021-2023.

The Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design cooperates closely with the Real Estate Company ADM, founded in August 2022, which is in charge of the design and development of the construction project for the New Museum of Architecture & Design, including organising a design competition for the museum building. The company ownership is divided in half between the City of Helsinki and the State of Finland, the main financiers of the project.

AD Museum Ltd. was established by the Foundation in October 2023. AD Museum Ltd. works in collaboration with its parent foundation to maintain the operations of the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.

Who are involved in creating the new museum?

The planning of the new museum of architecture and design is a collaboration between different stakeholders. The work is based on a feasibility study and a concept study, conducted in 2018-2019 by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the City of Helsinki. In the studies, over 250 people (including professionals from the fields of architecture, design and creative fields; museum experts; citizens; and public sector representatives) were engaged through interviews, workshops and meetings. Currently, the project planning is coordinated by the project organisation. The project organisation works in tight collaboration with the founders of the new museum of architecture and design, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the City of Helsinki, the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture. In addition, multiple other parties are constantly involved in the work.

Can I contribute to the planning of the museum?

In 2019, various groups, for instance local youngsters and pensioners, tourists in Helsinki, and a network of museum, design and architecture professionals, were interviewed about their wishes and expectations regarding the new museum. The ongoing project phase is based on that work.

Dialogue with various groups will go on as the project proceeds to the decision-making phase and further. We also welcome your thoughts and feedback at hello@admuseo.fi.

In addition, the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum are constantly in dialogue with their audiences, patrons and other interest groups. To learn more about the museums’ activities, visit www.designmuseum.fi and www.mfa.fi

Is there something more that you would like to know?
Contact the project team at hello@admuseo.fi, we’d be happy to hear from you!

We would also love for you to subscribe to our newsletter in order to keep you posted on what’s going on with the new museum of architecture and design.

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Newsletter

About ADM

Illustration by Anja Reponen

What?

A new museum is coming to town.

A new museum of architecture and design is coming to Helsinki. A natural destination for architecture and design lovers, the museum will also be a place for learning, sharing, and coming together for all curious minds. A new museum building near the historic harbour in central Helsinki will house state-of-the-art exhibitions and forward-looking programmes. With new technologies, the whole world can participate in the conversation.

Both the City of Helsinki and the State of Finland have conditionally committed to backing the new museum with significant donations. Three private foundations have joined forces, with the total capital raised almost reaching the target of 150 million euros. All parties have set conditions for their funding, with the common one being that the museum must be in a class of its own – globally. An institution that redefines the concept of a museum yet being respectful to the responsibilities of a national museum in its field.

Competition

Design Competition

An invitation to design the new museum of architecture and design in Helsinki, Finland.

We are seeking a design for a globally unique museum building that redefines Helsinki as a destination for architecture, design, arts, and culture.

The design for the new museum, located in Helsinki’s South Harbour, will be selected through an open, international and anonymous competition, held in two stages.

Submit questions regarding the competition brief by May 12 at 2pm (GMT +3).

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