Architecture and urban development often give rise to discussions. But few projects attract as much attention as the proposals for the Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki. On the one hand are the 1715 teams of architects from 77 countries who submitted their visions for a new museum in this international competition. On the other hand are those in the city who have resisted the project right from the beginning. The activists who demonstrated in front of Helsinki’s Lasipalasti, i.e. the Glass Palace, during the presentation of the six finalists on 2 December, were proof of this. “Not With Our Money” was written on their banner.

A Guggenheim for Helsinki?

In the Glass Palace Mark Wigley, chairman of the jury and dean emeritus of the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at New York’s Columbia University, talked about the search for a museum of the 21^st century and about the finalists. The selection of these six designs in no way meant that finished projects were being presented. Instead, it was the beginning of a dialogue, a conversation about the question of what a museum in the 21^st century needs to provide. And about how this kind of institution can be anchored in the city, about how both new public space and space for the public can be created. Each of the teams was given an extensive list of questions by the jury. Lists of questions that serve as a starting point for the further development of the project. And thus, in a formal and programmatic sense, everything in this process can still be altered. The images that were unveiled are only the first impressions of what is possible. The projects and the names of the teams involved were introduced separately. The question of who was responsible for which design will not become public knowledge until the end of the competition in June. And it is still unclear what will happen with the winning submission. The city of Helsinki still has to decide which further action should be taken. For supporters of the project this is seen as a smart investment that will put Helsinki on the international map of culture and attract tourists. Ideally, this will lead to more investment within the city.

Opponents complain about the waste of public money in times of tight budgets and about the sell-out of the city to an international cultural organisation. In 2012 Helsinki was named World Design Capital and was also recently awarded the UNESCO title of Design City. And thus, people in the city should be able to develop their own ideas. One group within the opposition is currently hosting a competition entitled “The Next Helsinki” in its search for possible answers. Scenarios for the South Harbour, a potential Guggenheim location, will be developed. Everyone is invited to participate, and international ideas will also be considered in this new competition. The winner will be picked by an international jury chaired by Michael Sorkin.

At the moment, it seems that urban development in Helsinki is not only being discussed within professional circles. And this is also one of the positive results of the Guggenheim competition.

Finalist teams:
• AGPS Architecture Ltd. (Zurich, Switzerland and Los Angeles, United States of America)
• Asif Khan Ltd. (London, United Kingdom)
• Fake Industries Architectural Agonism (New York, United States of America; Barcelona, Spain; and Sydney, Australia)
• Haas Cook Zemmrich STUDIO2050 (Stuttgart, Germany)
• Moreau Kusunoki Architect (Paris, France)
• SMAR Architecture Studio (Madrid, Spain and Western Australia)