Architecture

Designs revealed for Helsinki Guggenheim

Designs revealed for Helsinki Guggenheim
GH-04380895 is one of six finalists chosen from an original 1,715 submissions
GH-04380895 is one of six finalists chosen from an original 1,715 submissions
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GH-1128435973 is billed as a "two in one museum" and makes use of the existing Makasiini Terminal site
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GH-1128435973 is billed as a "two in one museum" and makes use of the existing Makasiini Terminal site
GH-1128435973's museum proper would be placed above the terminal, resting on stilts
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GH-1128435973's museum proper would be placed above the terminal, resting on stilts
GH-5059206475 reuses the laminated wood structure of the Makasiini Terminal to rebuild a wooden volume that exactly follows the geometry of the original
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GH-5059206475 reuses the laminated wood structure of the Makasiini Terminal to rebuild a wooden volume that exactly follows the geometry of the original
GH-5059206475 has each room acclimatized independently, charmingly likened by the designers to a “thermal onion"
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GH-5059206475 has each room acclimatized independently, charmingly likened by the designers to a “thermal onion"
GH-121371443 is our pick to win
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GH-121371443 is our pick to win
GH-121371443 comprises six timber-clad galleries, and a seventh administration and retail building, underneath a glass skin
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GH-121371443 comprises six timber-clad galleries, and a seventh administration and retail building, underneath a glass skin
GH-04380895 is one of six finalists chosen from an original 1,715 submissions
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GH-04380895 is one of six finalists chosen from an original 1,715 submissions
GH-04380895 links the museum to the rest of the city through a pedestrian footbridge to nearby Tähtitorninvuori Park
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GH-04380895 links the museum to the rest of the city through a pedestrian footbridge to nearby Tähtitorninvuori Park
GH-5631681770 aims to more closely link the city of Helsinki to its harbor
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GH-5631681770 aims to more closely link the city of Helsinki to its harbor
Interior render of the planned GH-5631681770
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Interior render of the planned GH-5631681770
GH-76091181 is likened to a beacon by its anonymous designers
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GH-76091181 is likened to a beacon by its anonymous designers
GH-76091181 also features some sustainable design, including – most significantly – a near-airtight envelope, heliostats (movable mirrors; to channel natural light inside), and demand-driven ventilation
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GH-76091181 also features some sustainable design, including – most significantly – a near-airtight envelope, heliostats (movable mirrors; to channel natural light inside), and demand-driven ventilation
View gallery - 12 images

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation's 11-member jury announced its shortlisted designs for Helsinki's proposed Guggenheim museum this morning. A veritable gaggle of Guggenheims – some 1,715 submissions – were whittled down to just six concepts from relatively lesser-known architecture firms, which were no doubt hoping to emulate the renown of the two iconic Guggenheim buildings in Bilbao and NYC, by Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wright, respectively.

The six finalists are: AGPS Architecture, Asif Khan, Fake Industries Architectural Agonism, Haas Cook Zemmrich STUDIO2050, Moreau Kusunoki Architect, and SMAR Architecture Studio. However, owing to EU rules, the names of the competitors were not made known to the jury, and are rather boringly referred to by registration number.

GH-76091181 is likened to a beacon by its anonymous designers
GH-76091181 is likened to a beacon by its anonymous designers

Of the six, GH-76091181 and GH-121371443 are the standout concepts. The former comprises five independent towers, likened by its anonymous designers to a beacon. The towers feature a reinforced concrete core and prefabricated glue-laminated timber beams and panels. The concept also features some sustainable design, including a near-airtight envelope, heliostats (movable mirrors, to channel natural light inside), and demand-driven ventilation.

GH-121371443 is our pick to win
GH-121371443 is our pick to win

GH-121371443 has winner written all over it. This concept comprises six timber-clad galleries and a seventh administration and retail building – all of which is wrapped entirely in a glass skin. The glass is translucent at ground level and rises to become transparent toward its top, offering views of the Helsinki waterfront from within.

The competition has already garnered its fair share of controversy though. Some locals question the wisdom of Finnish tax money being used to fund the museum, and others cite the project as an example of the Americanization of Finnish culture. A rival competition called Next Helsinki was even set up to offer an alternative vision of what could be done with the choice waterfront location intended for the museum, currently inhabited by the Makasiini Terminal.

The six finalists have until March 2015 to further mature their concepts before a winner is announced in June of next year. The winner will be granted €100,000 (US$124,000) prize money, and the runners-up each get €55,000 ($68,000).

Head to the gallery to check out each of the proposals.

Source: Guggenheim

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