The Architecture & Design Museum is moving towards a new future. A new museum building will rise in Helsinki’s South Harbour, becoming part of the city’s historic maritime landscape. The building will provide a unique setting for an international programme and for telling the story of Finnish architecture and design in a diverse, forward-thinking way. The museum will open its doors in 2030, welcoming locals and visitors alike.
The new museum is a cultural project of national significance – unprecedented in scope – that will strengthen the global appeal of Finland and Helsinki as leaders in architecture and design. It will raise Finland’s international profile and enliven Helsinki’s historic waterfront.
This unique undertaking is made possible by the State of Finland and the City of Helsinki, together with private donors and partners.
Join us in creating the new museum!
The proposal by JKMM Architects, known for their cultural buildings, was selected in September 2025 as the winner of the international design competition for the new Architecture & Design Museum, chosen from 624 entries. The environmentally conscious and user-oriented design respects the cultural landscape of Helsinki’s South Harbour and brings new life to the area between Market Square and the Olympia Terminal.
The new Architecture & Design Museum builds on the legacy of two of the oldest specialised museums in the world. The Museum of Finnish Architecture (founded in 1956) and the Design Museum (founded in 1873) merged to form the Architecture & Design Museum in January 2024. The new museum continues their work as Finland’s national museum of architecture and design. Until the new building is completed, the museum operates in its current premises in the Kaartinkaupunki district in Helsinki.
The Architecture & Design Museum will be a human-scale museum that welcomes all. The realms of architecture and design will unfold through experimentation, observation, and engagement. It will reimagine the story of Finnish architecture and design for a new generation, celebrating the nation’s creative heritage and charting more sustainable futures. As Finland’s national museum for architecture and design, it will brim with stories and provide experiences, knowledge, and inspiration for all – from everyday explorers to design professionals. The project roadmap is detailed in the implementation plan, published in January 2024.
CEO
Director of Development
Toimitusjohtaja, Kiinteistö Oy ADM
Ministry of Education and Culture, City of Helsinki, Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Svenska kulturfonden, Saastamoinen Foundation, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation