Väkkärä: a New Landmark for Helsinki
A new proposal by Luca Poian Forms envisions a Museum of Architecture and Design along Helsinki’s waterfront. Named Väkkärä, the work is sculpted to unfold as visitors approach along the Baltic shore. As the architect notes, ‘the planes of the structure seemingly unfold from the sky.’ Three broad roof pitches spiral around a triangular core, sweeping down to the ground to create shaded outdoor spaces. The metal cladding recalls the maritime panels of passing vessels, subtly polished to mirror the shifting tones of water and clouds.
This interplay of structure and landscape brings a fluid dialogue with the harbor. The pitched geometry nods to vernacular Nordic roofs while maintaining an enigmatic presence. The team wanted the form to feel both inevitable and surprising.
visualizations © BS ARQ
luca poian’s Dynamic Form Along the Baltic
Inside Luca Poian Forms‘ proposed museum for Helsinki, the atmosphere shifts to a more intimate scale. Locally sourced timber frames the generous interior volumes, with exposed structure and dark wood finishes bringing a sense of warmth and tactility. Triangular openings along the facade invite natural light and offer layered views to the park, the city, and the sea beyond, ensuring the museum remains visually tied to its setting.
The compact footprint reflects a sensitivity to Helsinki’s historic shoreline and urban fabric. Carefully considered spacing around the building frames the sculptural form while preserving public circulation and sightlines. Feature stairs and double-height galleries create a vertical journey through the museum, drawing visitors upward toward views that merge art and cityscape.
Väkkärä is a proposed museum on the Helsinki waterfront designed by Luca Poian
in dialogue with a maritime past and design future
By situating this new cultural venue at the meeting of land and water, Luca Poian’s museum proposal reinforces Helsinki’s identity as a hub for design and maritime heritage. The building’s spiral form and reflective surfaces capture the city’s light and seasonal atmosphere, bringing a new monument and pointing to a forward-looking design culture. For Poian, the proposal is a conversation with Helsinki itself — with both its history and the ongoing evolution of its design legacy.
its sweeping roof planes spiral around a triangular core to create shaded outdoor areas
interiors feature exposed timber structure and dark wood finishes
the metallic cladding reflects the colors of the Baltic sea and sky
the form nods to traditional Nordic roofs while remaining boldly contemporary
project info:
name: Väkkära
architect: Luca Poian Forms | @lucapoianforms
location: Helsinki, Finland
team: Luca Poian, Anoushae Eirabie
client: Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Foundation
visualizations: © BS ARQ | @bs_arq
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