JKMM wins design competition for new architecture and design museum

Finnish JKMM Architects won the design competition for the future museum building with their proposal “Kumma” by unanimous decision. The museum’s opening will be celebrated in 2030.

The two-stage international design competition, which began in April 2024, culminated in the announcement of the results at Helsinki City Hall on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The competition sought a design for a museum building to be constructed in Helsinki’s historic South Harbor. The aim of the building is to create a setting for world-class museum activities. 

The jury selected a proposal called “Kumma” as the winner. It was designed by JKMM Architects, with architect Samuli Miettinen as the lead designer.

“The jury reached a unanimous decision in an anonymous competition. Kumma blends into the cityscape while respecting its surroundings, but at the same time stands out as a recognizable landmark. The valuable views from Tähtitorninvuori toward Kauppatori and Katajanokka will be preserved in the cultural landscape. The recycled brick facade and the terrace surrounding the building bring warmth to the sculptural architecture and strengthen the connection to the city,” says jury chairman, architect Mikko Aho. 

“I hope that the design and implementation of the new architecture and design museum will show the way forward for responsible and skilful new construction. Architecture and design are very human – they are born of dreams and longing and gain meaning in places where we can experience and live together,” says Kumma’s chief designer, architect Samuli Miettinen. 

The winner was selected from over 600 entries

A total of 624 entries from around the world were accepted into the international design competition. Approximately one-fifth of the entries came from Finland, followed by Italy, the USA, France, and the UK.

Five proposals competed for the top prize in the final round of the competition. The second prize of €35,000 was awarded to the Portuguese-Belgian architectural firm Cossement Cardoso for their proposal “City, Sky and Sea.” The third prize of €25,000 went to the Swiss firm Lopes Brenna for its proposal “Moby.” Fourth place went to the Finnish architectural collective’s proposal “Tyrsky,” which was awarded a prize of €20,000. In addition to these, the jury decided to purchase the proposal “Tau” by the French firm Atelier Orda, which was awarded a prize of €10,000.

An architectural firm known for its museum architecture

JKMM Architects, founded in 1998 by architects Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela, Samuli Miettinen, and Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, is one of Finland’s leading architectural firms. The firm has a strong track record of competition wins and museum architecture. JKMM’s handprint can also be seen in beloved projects in Helsinki, such as the Amos Rex art museum (2018), the University of the Arts (2021), the Dance House (2022), and the extension of the National Museum, which is currently underway. In the summer of 2022, JKMM won an international architectural competition for the underground extension of the Lillehammer Art Museum.

The winning team at JKMM includes Akukon (acoustics, AV technology), Granlund (HVAC design, energy calculation), MIR (visualization), Pentagon Design (service design) and Ramboll Finland (structural design, carbon footprint calculation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, electrical and lighting design, geodesign).

A home for Finnish architecture and design expertise

The next phase in developing the winning proposal will begin immediately after the results are announced, in collaboration with the museum’s various user groups and sustainable construction experts. In the future, “Kumma” will create a building on the maritime Makasiiniranta that is open to the public and inviting, serving the museum’s future activities.

“The new architecture and design museum is a key project in the development of Helsinki’s historic South Harbor. The museum will enhance the appeal of the former port area and complement the new maritime urban space being built in the area. At the same time, the museum will be a landmark that attracts international interest and strengthens Helsinki’s appeal, providing a fitting home for Finnish architectural and design expertise,” says Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov. 

“The new Museum of Architecture and Design is our shared goal, which we have been working towards for years. The museum responds to the widespread international interest that our architecture and design attract. Once completed, the museum will be a meeting place for people and serve as a learning environment and international showcase for Finnish expertise. At the same time, it will strengthen the role of architecture and design in the development of society and create conditions for sustainable growth,” says Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie.

Strong design expertise involved

JKMM Architects’ winning proposal involved a wide range of multidisciplinary design expertise in collaboration with design companies from various fields.

Architectural Design
JKMM Architects

Samuli Miettinen, architect SAFA, founding partner, principal designer / PS
Asmo Jaaksi, architect SAFA, founding partner
Teemu Kurkela, architect SAFA, founding partner
Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, architect SAFA, founding partner
Samuli Summanen, architect

Other team members

Marko Salmela, architect SAFA, building designer / ARK
Mykolas Malskis, architect
Lars-Erik Mattila, architect
Päivi Meuronen, interior architect SIO
Marko Pulli, architect
Jarno Vesa, interior architect

Partners
Akukon
Acoustical and Audiovisual Design
Ari Lepoluoto, Lic.Sc. (Arts Lighting and Sound)
Henrik Möller, M.Sc (Tech. Acoustics)

Granlund
HVAC Engineering, Energy Calculation
Vikke Niskanen, M.Sc. (Tech. HVAC), mechanical engineer / LVIA
Panu Rautio, M.Sc. (Tech. HVAC)

MIR
Visualisation
Trond Ardersen
Francesco Giardinelli
Jakub Trčka,

Pentagon Design
Service Design
Virva Haltsonen, M.Sc. (Econ) / IDBM
Anna Hoskonen, MA / IMIAD, SIO

Ramboll Finland

Carbon Footprint Calculation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Laura Kainulainen, M.Sc. (Tech. Env.)

Electrical and Lighting Design
Erkki Hakanen, B.Sc. (Tech. Electr.) electrical designer 
Kaisa Lindstedt, M.Sc. (Tech. Electr. Lighting)

Geo Design
Kati Tyynelä, M.Sc. (Tech. Geo), foundation designer / GEO – beginning at 6.6. AFRY Finland Oy

Structural Design
Ilkka Mikkola, engineer (AMK), structural designer / RAK – beginning at 7.7. Bauhow Architectural
Engineering Oy
Joona Tuikka, M.Sc. / Tech. Str.