project : Turku Museum of History and the Future / 2024
type : International One Stage Open Competition
location : Turku - Finland
program : Culture
area : 8.700 m²
'History in transit'
Exploring potential futures through historical contexts and interpreting the past through future narratives reveals the ever-changing nature of time. The maritime character and history of the gateway to the city speak mostly about passage, transport and being on the move. Simultaneously, along the waterfront and towards the river everything is in constant motion. Thus ‘History in transit’. Blending a homage to the past and an embrace of the future, the new museum is a safe and inclusive cultural catalyst and invites Turku to actively engage and celebrate what has been and open up to what is yet to come.
Timeless subtlety and the ‘gentle giant’
Aligned with the building’s purpose and the historical context of the location, the design draws inspiration from the industrial and port character of the area. Utilizing clear shapes, reminiscent of depot typologies and combining them with straightforward yet impactful architectural gestures aims for the ideal of timeless architecture. Creating a lasting legacy in this case means stepping away from fleeting trends. This cultural entity aspires to evolve together with the community it serves and to stay relevant for decades to come.
‘History in transit’ believes that Turku castle should remain the dominant feature on this side of the Linnanniemi development. The museum emerges as a ‘gentle giant’, proudly asserting its presence, but whose subtlety and deep respect for its surroundings allow the castle to retain the lead as the primary landmark. Diverging from the notion of a ‘polished’ and somewhat distant museum, the proposal offers an inclusive building at the end of the cultural axis - a public space open to all, easy to grasp and relate to. Through an extensive exploration of vital dichotomies - permanent versus temporary, light versus heavy, open versus closed, horizontal versus vertical - the museum desires to strike an architectural balance that resonates with its natural surroundings, the existing and future built environment and the water.