The text answering some of the questions regarding our design choices:
The museum experience may start from the northern urban square, just in front of the Old Market Hall.
Here, any visitor is free to choose between several points of interest. A busy and fun Project Workshop space is present on the corner of the museum, right next to the entrance. Available for those interested in learning, the workshop becomes the iconic and most representative space of the museum. This space, where architects and students can build their own models, 3D Print and laser cut, is backed by the technical workshop area. Perfect for dialog and information exchange. It can easily expand with a pop-up, outdoor exhibition of physical architectural models and objects of design.
While still in front of the main entrance visitors can postpone entering, instead opting for a hike on the roof. Yes, the roof is accessible to the public and it invites one to follow a certain path. The view from the first surface offers an astonishing panorama over the port area and the sea. The second surface, on top of the entrance points directly to the Market Hall and further onto the old market square. While the first surface was linking the building to the port, this second one creates a visual connection towards the city and the waterfront promenade. Equipped as an urban amphitheater, where the city of Helsinki is the backdrop of the stage.
Climbing further, the visitor can now have a look over the lush roof gardens of the future Saaret development, meditate on the role of architecture and design in our society and the sustainability aspects of new interventions. Saaret is a friendly and close neighbor that can contribute to the museum experience especially during lunch breaks, when the office staff might take a picnic on the roof of the museum.
If one is set to see the exhibitions, when passing the entrance is first greeted by the Small Galley. The small Galley acts as the heart of the building linking visually several spaces: The grand lobby, the Podium area and further towards the ceiling. This space acts as a gift for the city, offering the possibility of exposing a piece of artwork, design or architecture visible without the need for buying a ticket. This further contributes to the public open and inviting character of the ground level. The route of the exhibitions starts and ends on the podium, describing a loop around the heart.
Museum experiences can get one tired. After exploring the roof, why not take a coffee beak, a snack or lunch before entering the Medium galley. The restaurant is welcoming, with a generous view over the library, the shop and the entrance and last but most important, the waterfront. One can get inspired, read a few pages or simply buy the design newspaper from the shop.
With new strength is time to continue the museum experience: The Medium gallery with a maximum height of 10 meters can define an environment in itself. As a museum inside a museum, this galley can host very large design objects that can be contemplated even during night time from far away over the sea. It creates a flexible identity for the building: a new face with a new exhibition.
Following the last set of steps is the Grand Gallery. 1450m² of flexible space oriented towards the South. Here is where nature is invited inside the museum from the Tähtitorninvuori hill which stands as a background for this space.
Tähtitorninvuori hill has been another close friendly neighbor from which the museum burrows its main silhouette : high on the south and low, human scaled, on the north. Important to note is that, on the street level the slope of the hill ends with a self-service dining area accommodated by a setback of the facade. This setback creates a long urban space activating the L street. Once the exhibition ends, the visitor can take the elevator and have one last coffee in the company of Tähtitorninvuori hill.
While for the general tourists the experience might end here, for those living in Helsinki the Museum has an additional Event and conference space situated at the last level. This space also has a multifaceted experience: the large amphitheater on the north side, and a “hidden” lookout space on the south: a romanticized surprise space, the peak of the building, a lookout towards the sea and Tähtitorninvuori.
Entrance View - Arch is higher on the right and lower on the left
Left - the curtain wall below the arch points to corner now.
Main arch got a straight landing to accomodate steps on the right side - Looks more dynamic. I find it better than a clean arch.
Burton sketched a discontinuity of the roof line for this view.
Not sure if I like it: It is a very small break and it makes the access from one roof area to another much more complicated.
Cantilever on the left has to fit the bus underneeth?
Access on the roof starts with a very easy set of steps. Access on the second area is somewhere in the middle.
The Third area access looks a bit too much. I would revert to previous option for this point.
Main roof access more into detail: This part of the arch got adjusted to fit a very clean set of steps. There are plenty of landings for rest.
Steps are 260x175
For smooth access on the left side I would revert to previous option.