Our proposal “The Crossing” for the Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki seamlessly integrates the cityscape of South Harbour’s Makasiini Ranta district and the natural landscape of Tähtitorninvuori hill, in a playful architectural appearance already characteristic for recent developments in this city.

The design of “The Crossing” takes inspiration from movement: the swoosh of the harbor activity, the falling leaves from Tähtitorninvuori hill as they arc through the air and the continuous flow of tourists and locals, to create a holistic integration of design, architecture, nature, and communities.

With “The Crossing” we want to reimagine the insular art museum into a porous, interactive conversation with the outside world as a set of civic spaces in dialogue with the surroundings. 

Scandinavian light, local materiality and spaces inspired by urban planning of Helsinki, play the leading role in both the function and the design of the ADM, which balances a rational concept with an expressive form. 

The key elements of the program (main galleries, event and conference spaces with logistics and back of office) are efficiently clustered together on the busy sides on the South and West.

Thus the North and Eastern sides can host a set of spaces with a calm character: Lobby, Cafe-restaurant, Projects and Workshops, inviting the visitors to meditate and reflect.

Echoing the curves of the roof, a scalloped local timber cladding envelops the interior ceilings. The Main Lobby , connected to the Northern Market Square, further unfolds in a series of high and open spaces, with clear sightlines across the entire building and towards the water and Saaret development.

Due to climatic conditions, Helsinki is one of the few cities in the world where nature is untamed and close to its inhabitants. We emphasize this character by proposing an accessible public roof, similar to a natural landscape along the pedestrian walkway. 

The roof functions also as an environmental shell for the museum, integrating climate control and natural energy gathering systems. With a focus on renewable materials, innovative lighting and rainwater retention systems, the design targets a very low energy consumption.