Gösta Museum - Finland

Design Competition - Gösta Museum in Finland.

The design proposal aims to reflect an architecture that bears a human dimension. It intends to achieve an active connection with its users, meeting their needs and expectations fully. In order to do so, the building should fulfill physical as well as emotional needs. The architecture must therefore imbue a strong sense of place and belonging.
The design addresses not only social aspects but also historical ones. It aims to fully integrate and relate to the existing Manor House, therefore privileging its historical importance.
The building proposal encompasses three floors. The basement area contains services such as waste rooms, storages, mechanical and electrical systems.
The ground floor, where the main entrances are located, is where the connection is established between the existing and the new building. It provides exhibition space of 1000 square meters as well as an assembly room that can sit up to 180 people.
By the entrance one can find a reception/ticket office area, as well as a cloakroom and the museum shop. Servicing rooms are provided for these functions in order to adequately accommodate and store equipment and goods. The ground floor also offers areas for archive, conservation and handling.

The top floor offers a restaurant with interior and exterior sitting areas as well as office spaces and meeting rooms for the museum’s staff.
There are two main entrances, both at ground floor level. One of them allowing access through the lobby area and past the museum’s shop and ticket desk. The other entrance, although being of public access, may also be used for those that aim to go straight onto the assembly room.
There is a third entrance on the basement level which is used for servicing and possibly as staff entrance. It permits lorries to park and goods to be unloaded. It is also used for garbage collection and
disposal.
The building aims to permit access for those with disabilities throughout the whole complex. There are access ramps as well as elevators which can be used for this purpose.

Flexibility was considered to be an important feature of a museum space and as such the proposed building aims to offer flexible spaces.
The assembly room aims to be adaptable enough to allow for different activities to take place. As such, it can be used for book and poetry reading events, artists’ presentations and conferences and other events of conversational character. It may also be used as an added exhibition space.
The entrance area, constituting an open space, can be explored as a preview area for the museum’s exhibitions. It may also constitute a showcase area for temporary displays.
The exhibition spaces were thought of in such a way that they should permit varied experiences while the users make their way through the museum.

An important feature of the design is the quality of the light in the exhibition spaces. As such, the design aims to provide natural northern and eastern light coming from the top, allowing for
smooth, indirect light to enter the building all day long.
Particular care was also given to the acoustics of the building, making it as sound proof as possible by adequately insulating the facades.
The design aims to establish a connection between the user and the surrounding environment and as such windows were strategically placed in order to frame views towards the outside.
On the ground floor meeting room there is a large west-facing windows which offers views towards the forest and the Jäällä lake.

Opposite the ground floor’s exhibition area there are 3 small volumes with windows that create an opportunity for a moment of pause and contemplation of the outer landscape. As such, the building portrays its surroundings as part of the inherent beauty of the museum.
Clearly, the existing landscape describes and important scenery which involves the building and adds to its character.
As such, the exterior spaces provide areas for open-air exhibitions and the park constitutes a charming resting area which can be enjoyed as often as the weather permits.
The terrace café offers an agreeable sitting area where visitors may enjoy a meal while gazing at the surrounding landscape. This space may also be used as an exterior gallery space, displaying sculptures
and other objects found to be suitable.

Bridging nature and culture, the environmental strategy aims to be as ecological as possible. As such, particular attention was given to the carbon footprint of the building. Timber is the chosen material
for the structure, facades and interior finishes. It should be locally sourced, coming from the Finn Forest as well as the site itself given that it is possible to recycle the trees removed in order to permit
construction. This greatly reduces CO2 emissions by lessening transport needs.
Furthermore, the proposal encompasses the use of solar panels and the building itself should generate both heating and electricity.