Designs for the Guggenheim Museum the world over have encouraged unique and wondrous architectural solutions. This solution follows in this tradition while very much respecting both the Finnish people and the importance of place. Fronting the Helsinki harbour, the site sits delicately in the middle of a zone of high sensitivity both historically and socially. The resultant Museum design rests comfortably and without confrontation in this location. This elegant yet modest building owes its success to careful consideration of various levels public consciousness; natural, historical, spiritual, cultural and social.

The dominant form of the Museum is reminiscent of Laulujoutsen (Whooper swan), at rest by the waters edge. While the roof further references the steep, black tar finished shingle roofs of the Middle Ages Finnish church. Dominant in the construction materials selected is timber. Both sustainable and quintessentially Finnish, timber will contribute to achieving a best practice carbon neutral construction outcome.

The Helsinki Guggenheim Museum, showing both restraint and respect, will provide focus for the celebration of the many social, cultural and spiritual needs of the Finnish people to simply be well into the future.