Ateneum Museum
Customer: Finnish Art Academy/ Finnish National Gallery, National Board of Public Building / Senate Properties, Ministry of Education
Location: Kaivokatu 2, Helsinki
Completed: 1979-91, 2000, 2023
Area: 14,000 m2 (existing area), 4000 m2 (new area), 360 m2 (phase II), 1310 m2 existing area, 75m2 new area (phase III)
Representative of the neo-Renaissance style, Ateneum was built in 1885-1887 as a project of the Finnish Art Society and Finnish Applied Arts Foundation according to drawings by architect Theodor Höijer. Its main façade is dominated by central bays and numerous sculptures, and the monumental main staircase plays a central role in the space. Until the 1970s the building served as an art museum, School of Applied Arts (today the University of Art and Design) and the Drawing School of the Finnish Art Society. In 1977, it was entirely devoted to use as a museum and exhibition space. In keeping with the architectural and renovation philosophy of its designers, the new and the old are juxtaposed in Ateneum with elegant subtlety.
Our project at Ateneum was divided into three phases. In the major alteration and expansion project (phase I) carried out in 1979-91, the building was given its current form. Phase II included, among other elements, expansion work, while in phase III (2019-2023), the museum was developed to meet the needs of significantly increased visitors.
The main goal in phase I was to create a modern, functional art museum that would also meet exceptionally high building-preservation and technical requirements. It was crucial that the original forms and hierarchy of spaces be preserved and the role of the grand main staircase be emphasised and preserved by repairing the building frame and original construction parts. The technical objectives were to level depressions in the load-bearing brick frame and vaulted ceilings and instal ventilation technology, while maintaining the building’s architectural integrity.
In the project planning phase, high standards were set for architectural design, building preservation, functionality and technical goals, and prerequisites for expansion were mapped out.
Changing exhibits and a café were located on the first floor, and permanent collections on the second and third floors. Conservation space and the office were located on the third floor and in the attic space. A 160-seat auditorium was built under the main hall. A new section was built along Ateneuminkuja, which enables access around the entire building on the second floor.
The extensive, long-term project required close teamwork among all involved actors. Collaboration with the conservator was of primary importance in the project. In 1990, Ateneum received the National Board of Public Building Construction Project of the Year Award.
The east yard was used for exhibit-related services, visitor workshops as well as lift and staircase connectivity, which allowed complete preservation of the original division of space. In phase II, the western courtyard was converted into a multi-use area, including a book shop, while retaining its courtyard character.
New construction elements, details and technical installations were designed with modern forms and methods, but using original materials. The symmetrical natural lighting of the main staircase was preserved by building an atrium above the east yard. A light, monochromatic shade was selected for the staircase, but a portion of the dark, polychromatic colouring was left visible in fragments. Muted shades were used in exhibit halls to provide a quiet backdrop for artwork. The dark colour of floorboards was retained.
The main goal was to create a modern, functional museum with optimal conditions for exhibiting and storing art. From a building preservation standpoint, it was most important to preserve the original space shapes and hierarchy and emphasise the status of the grand main staircase by repairing the building frame and original construction parts.
Foundations and old frame structures were repaired and buttressed. Some of the subfloor structures and the entire roof were replaced. Ventilation plant rooms were located in the basement and underground beneath the courtyards, vertical ducts were installed outside the old frame and horizontal ducts in new ceilings and the attic. Vents in exhibit halls were designed with slats and recessed in crown mouldings or installed in the floor.
Exterior colours were restored in collaboration with the National Board of Antiquities and old windows were renovated.
In the final project, which was carried out in 2019-2023, the ventilation system and its attendant building automation were brought up to date. The climate control of exhibition spaces was updated to meet stringent international criteria. In order to mitigate indoor humidity, windows were repaired and sealed using restoration methods. Spaces were altered by increasing the public toilet facilities, personnel areas and restaurant capacity. The Ateneuminkuja entrance was elevated in terms of appearance and made to better serve large visitor groups. The visitor lift cabin and door opening were enlarged. Accessibility was improved in all areas.
Alteration work on state-protected Ateneum was carried out in close cooperation with the Finnish National Gallery, taking into account museum operation requirements, accessibility and climate goals, and the special features of a valuable cultural heritage site.