The Architecture of the Guggenheim, Helsinki would be a combination of a solid functional Core and a more poetic Lattice to exhibit global and native art.
The building would engage with the people of Helsinki through “Art Modules”, that would go out into the city as just timber clad shipping containers and come back as repositories of local art. These modules would fit into a Lattice, exemplifying a unique urban response to art and architecture.
The museum, hence, would stand as a canvas that always has a different picture of Finnish art, culture and expression of that day and age, to behold. The nature of the building, therefore, is envisioned as one that is constantly in flux.
The design has been inspired by an idea to take Guggenheim through the public avenues of Helsinki. The system tries to re-invent the nature of curation of art and introduce a continuous curation of architecture.
The Core of the building is composed of a vertical and a horizontal mass, the alignment of which is reminiscent of the nordic symbol – the Scandinavian Cross. The more central functions such as the ticketing booth , information desk, circulation and building services are encased within the vertical mass.
The Galleries and the Auditorium are housed in the horizontal mass, which has been deliberately raised to a suitable height to maximise a visual connection with the sea at the ground level.
A spiral escalator system connects 3 levels of Gallery spaces and acts as a light well for a diffused illumination of spaces within. A predominant glass facade has been provided, where the core contains offices and a multi-purpose space, to appreciate views to historic parts of the city.
The lattice grows out of a grid on the ground plane , drawn parallel to the boundaries of the site. The lattice in conjunction with the core creates dynamic perspectives and a unique visual and physical experience for visitors.
The space under the horizontal mass of the core is defined into 2 plazas , that become a warm, protective public space during the colder months, in addition to a generous amount of open space that can be activated during the summer. This structural framework has been designed to act as art by itself, even in the absence of the art modules.
The art modules are retrofitted, used shipping containers that are clad on the outside with thermo treated pine . Containers will be propped at a suitable location where local artists begin to work away on its outer surfaces.
The inside is designed to function as an extension to the core gallery of the museum to engage with the community.
This would create a repository of local art while also promoting it. The museum will begin by holding around 50 containers and it is expected to reach its full capacity of more than 250 containers by the year 2050.
The Lattice is accessible via ramps at 2 levels, where the modules wouldrepresent active volumes for the display of art and other temporal functions. The containers would be periodically shuffled to create the dynamic visual aesthetics of the museum facade.
The modules would be found in different pockets of the city almost 10 times a year. Any art enthusiast can connect to an artist’s creation by signing up online to participate and even contribute.
Besides generating awareness, tourism and marrying modern technology with the curation of art, this system aims at bringing together a diverse cross-section of the Finnish Society. This could be testament to how art can effect a change in an urban sphere.
Triple O Studio: www.tripleostudio.com
