Article source: MCKNHM Architects and Juliane Demel\

A simple concept of an architectural heart surrounded by radial arranged building wings, results in a design that minimizes the impact on a very delicate site for a museum extension in Mänttää Finland.

MCKNHM Architects main objective was to reduce the impact of the volume on the delicate site and to intertwine the building with the beautiful environment. Through the “heart and wings” concept the large building mass of 4700sqm is scattered around a central heart. The new building is split up into a number of squares that form a dialectic relationship towards the site and the existing Museum building. These square like building wings are arranged in a circle to form the central space, “the Heart” of the new Museum Extension. Joenniemi Manor, the existing museum building, is a very particular one of these wings as the tallest and oldest, its sublime presence is still untouched and engages in an interesting dialogue with the new clustered building addition that is cautiously connected by a barely visible underground passageway.

Image Courtesy © MCKNHM Architects and Juliane Demel

• Architects: MCKNHM Architects and Juliane Demel
• Project: Serlachius Museum Gösta Extension Competition Entry
• Location: Mänttää, Finland
• Model: Anikó Krén
• Team: Mark Mueckenheim, Juliane Demel
• Building’s scope information: Useable floor area 4497sqm, gross floor area: 4961sqm, net area: 3146sqm

(more…)