The Cossement-Cardosooffice wins second prize in the international competition for the new Helsinki Museum of Architecture and Design

The Belgian-Portuguese office Cossement Cardoso won second prize in the international competition to design the new Helsinki Museum of Architecture and Design, beating out more than 600 entries from around the world.

With its project entitled City, Sky and Sea, the firm proposes a sensitive dialogue between nature, memory, and contemporary life. The imagined building presents itself as a manifesto for open, sustainable architecture deeply rooted in the Finnish landscape.

City, Sky and Sea project

Cossement Cardoso's proposal reinterprets Helsinki's built and landscape heritage to create a new cultural hub. Its textured glass façade transforms the museum into a fortress of light, a true democratic and luminous landmark in the heart of the city.

Beyond aesthetics, the project affirms a sustainable approach: the use of recycled glass and wood combines innovation, craftsmanship, and respect for the landscape, while encapsulating the essence of Finnish design.

The City, Sky and Sea project was developed by Cossement Cardoso in collaboration with local firm Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects, engineering firm Sitowise, and visuals by artist Bernardo Sousa.