The proposed Helsinki Design Museum initiative, conceived over two decades ago, necessitates a critical re-evaluation in light of the evolving global landscape and the pressing need for sustainable urban development. This document, informed by discussions among concerned citizens, including architects, designers, and urban planners, advocates for a paradigm shift in the project's conception and execution.

This is a list of concerns by Architectural Democracy and a group of citizens about the

New Architecture & Design Museum of Helsinki

We request a pause in the competition process, and a more open and transparent public discussion on the usage of public money and earth's resources.

Join our group

Key Concerns

Outdated vision The current initiative, to build a “wow” structure, is rooted in the unilateral ambition of a former city administration. This worn-out strategy fails to address contemporary challenges and opportunities.
Lack of transparency The decision-making process surrounding the project has been shrouded in secrecy, limiting public participation and discourse.
Unsustainable location The proposed location in an already affluent area neglects the potential for regeneration in other underserved parts of the city.
Limited scope The focus is on a single iconic building with exhibit space only, and not, apparently, research or reference space. This incomplete solution overlooks the broader potential for a comprehensive, sustainable, and socially inclusive approach.
Conflicting austerity - the new museum is planned at a time when existing museums are being shuttered entirely or their programming curtailed.

Reframing the Project: Not a building, but a method

Consider the possibility that the city decides to reframe the project concept and its execution in order to address the real needs and ambitions of the city’s residents.
In reframing, we urge that the Project is not the structure. The Project is the method by which we transform the way we conceive and build public projects in Helsinki for the next generation.
We propose a shift in focus from the building itself to the underlying method will result in a sustainable and participatory approach to urban development.
The right solution for the Helsinki Design & Architectural museum is just the first output of this new method.

Values driving the real Project

Certain core values are inevitably at the heart of this approach:

Broad Sustainability Sustainability, in its broadest sense, includes environmental, economic, and social sustainability. We have to move beyond “embedded carbon” as the sole metric to include the value drivers of Finnsh society.
Polycentric city Helsinki is more than its centre. We advocate for a polycentric vision, promoting the development of multiple vibrant centers beyond the historic core. For example, an area like Kruunuvuori should be considered for such an initiative.
Public engagement The project should foster genuine public engagement and participation in shaping the future of the city. “Compliance” procedures, such as releasing design concepts on the web without context, must give way to modern participative methods where residents can understand the tradeoffs in decisions.
Helsinki as Proponent It must be the city of Helsinki that accepts and solves this problem. Rather than reacting to developer proposals, the city must learn how to develop its own, more relevant method for planning in this age of uncertainty.

How to solve the problem of the Architectural and Design museums

Four problems need to be solved:

Where might there be an appropriate existing or regenerated space for the contents, including reference and research content, to maintain these resources for both research as well as exhibit space?
What to do with the existing buildings. The museum will move to a new building - what happens to the old buildings? They cannot just be left vacant.
What other uses there might be for the large original financial appropriation, which will not be needed in its entirety?
Finally, what to do with the land originally intended for the museum?

Concrete Steps

Suspend the current initiative: When the competition jury process comes to a head and the recommendation is presented to the city Council, we call for a pause in the current project to allow for a comprehensive reassessment.
Establish a multidisciplinary task force: A task force comprising experts from various fields should be formed to re-evaluate the project's goals, scope, and location. (what expertise might we need?)
Explore alternative locations: The potential for locating the museum in areas in need of regeneration, such as the former industrial lands in the Korkeasaari area, should be thoroughly investigated.
Develop a comprehensive plan: A new plan should be developed that integrates the museum into a broader strategy for sustainable urban development.
Transparent and inclusive process: The entire process should be transparent and inclusive, ensuring meaningful public participation.
Recalling that the Project is not a building, the output needs to be in the form of a method that can be replicated and evolved going forward.

Conclusion

If we have the courage to invert the problem, the Helsinki Design Museum initiative presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the city's future. By defining the project as the formation of a sustainable, polycentric, and participatory method, we can create a project method that benefits all residents and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come. We invite all stakeholders to join us in this critical endeavor.

Call to Action

We urge the City Council to take immediate action to pause the current initiative and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive re-evaluation process. We also encourage citizens to engage in the public discourse and contribute their ideas and perspectives. Together, we can shape a more sustainable and democratic future for Helsinki.

This document is a draft and is intended to stimulate further discussion and refinement.