Dalia Alkhatib

This project proposes an annex to the National Museum of Finland in Helsinki, developed in response to a 2019 open international competition. The site adjoins the historic main building by renowned Finnish architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen, architects whose influence extends well beyond Finland’s borders. The new Annex is designed to host large-scale international exhibitions and support a broad range of cultural, artistic, and civic events, from performances and conferences to public gatherings. It will also include the museum’s main restaurant, helping to form a cohesive cultural campus with the existing museum and park. At its core, the project reinterprets Finnish national heritage through a contemporary lens. The concept of the museum annex reflects the evolving identity of modern Finnish society, grounded in a shared responsibility for the future. Architecturally, the Annex contrasts and complements the historic structure with a bold design of four hyperbolic paraboloid roofs, supported by concrete columns and a ring beam. This lightweight and transparent form introduces openness and accessibility, offering a powerful new symbol for culture as a catalyst for change. By framing national heritage as a dynamic and welcoming narrative, the Annex fosters dialogue between the past and the present, creating a vibrant space that embodies Finnish culture’s contemporary values.

Faculty Mark Mueckenheim – Architekt AKNW | AIA Int. Assoc. | NOMA Int. Architect (Graduate Director / Final Studio Faculty)

Awards 2025 Spring Show Prize for Outstanding Final MA-Architecture Project