The National Museum of Finland is located in the heart of Helsinki next to the Parliament and opposite Alvar Aalto’s Finlandia Hall. The existing building is considered a National Romantic style masterpiece. In 2019, the international architecture competition for the annex of the museum was won by JKMM Architects. In 2027, the over 100-year-old main building will be accompanied by an impressive new underground annex, designed by JKMM. Above the ground, there will be a year-round public garden.

The defining feature of the design is a monumental structure that forms the main entrance to the museum with its monolithic cantilevered concrete roof. Underneath, the spaces are sculpted into the earth with a generous stepped “public square” leading the visitors into the museum. The architecture is simple, universal and even primeval in its concept. The new annex of the Natinoal Museum will transform the museum into a modern landmark to house Helsinki’s largest exhibition spaces.