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The New Aviation Museum
The New Aviation Museum
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Other Projects by PES-Architects
The New Aviation Museum
The Finnish Aviation Museum is a national museum in Vantaa's Aviapolis district, near Helsinki Airport, responsible for preserving and exhibiting the history of Finnish aviation. To replace the current, outdated building, a two-phase tender process was arranged in 2025 for a design and build contract for a new museum, won by PES-Architects in collaboration with Lapti as contractor. The New Aviation Museum will be built on the adjacent plot with a entirely new museum concept, aiming to attract over 100,000 visitors a year.
The New Aviation Museum is designed as a local landmark and multifunctional hub that embodies both the efficiency of contemporary industrial architecture and the poetry of flight. The architectural concept wraps an economical, functional building in an exceptional façade structure, creating a distinctive identity that reflects the spirit of aviation.
The main structure and external walls are based on cost-effective steel and sandwich panel systems, typical of modern aircraft hangars or industrial buildings. The result is a functional, adaptable building whose exhibition spaces provide a neutral backdrop for the museum’s changing displays.
Architecture and façade concept
The competition concept “Takeoff and Landings” refers to the ascending and descending forms of the façades, inspired by the movements of aircraft. The expressive architectural language is realised through a separate façade skin constructed over the simple structural frame. Streamlined lines and a glass façade facing Aviabulevardi evoke the lightness and precision of aviation technology. The gentle upward sweep above the main entrance corner welcomes visitors into the building.
Aluminium, glass, and wood are the museum’s main materials. Aluminium offers a light and durable solution with a smooth surface that reflects sunlight like an aircraft wing, serving also as a backdrop for subtle evening illumination. Glass adds transparency and openness, creating a visual connection with the surrounding urban space. Timber surfaces bring warmth and tactility, recalling the heritage of early aviation.
The roof appears as the building’s fifth façade to the neighbouring hotel and school. Its most prominent feature will be the photovoltaic panels that emphasise the museum’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
The lobby – Aviapolis’ living room
The spatial layout is based on a clear functional concept that divides the public, exhibition and support areas into distinct zones. The main lobby acts as a multifunctional hub and the heart of the building. Visually open and filled with natural light, it extends the museum experience into the urban space of Aviabulevardi. The high, open entrance transitions gradually into a more intimate zone towards the restaurant, offering a comfortable setting for a coffee break, casual meeting or quiet study.
Free-form timber volumes define the lobby space, housing key public functions such as the café, ticket desk and museum shop. Movable partitions enable the lobby to adapt for different types of events and commercial collaborations.
Exhibition spaces
The main exhibition hall is a column-free, highly adaptable space designed for a wide range of installations, special lighting and controlled acoustic conditions. The adjacent temporary exhibition area connects directly to the lobby and can function as part of the main exhibition or as an independent space for commercial or educational use.
The New Aviation Museum is designed as a local landmark and multifunctional hub that embodies both the efficiency of contemporary industrial architecture and the poetry of flight. The architectural concept wraps an economical, functional building in an exceptional façade structure, creating a distinctive identity that reflects the spirit of aviation.
The main structure and external walls are based on cost-effective steel and sandwich panel systems, typical of modern aircraft hangars or industrial buildings. The result is a functional, adaptable building whose exhibition spaces provide a neutral backdrop for the museum’s changing displays.
Architecture and façade concept
The competition concept “Takeoff and Landings” refers to the ascending and descending forms of the façades, inspired by the movements of aircraft. The expressive architectural language is realised through a separate façade skin constructed over the simple structural frame. Streamlined lines and a glass façade facing Aviabulevardi evoke the lightness and precision of aviation technology. The gentle upward sweep above the main entrance corner welcomes visitors into the building.
Aluminium, glass, and wood are the museum’s main materials. Aluminium offers a light and durable solution with a smooth surface that reflects sunlight like an aircraft wing, serving also as a backdrop for subtle evening illumination. Glass adds transparency and openness, creating a visual connection with the surrounding urban space. Timber surfaces bring warmth and tactility, recalling the heritage of early aviation.
The roof appears as the building’s fifth façade to the neighbouring hotel and school. Its most prominent feature will be the photovoltaic panels that emphasise the museum’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
The lobby – Aviapolis’ living room
The spatial layout is based on a clear functional concept that divides the public, exhibition and support areas into distinct zones. The main lobby acts as a multifunctional hub and the heart of the building. Visually open and filled with natural light, it extends the museum experience into the urban space of Aviabulevardi. The high, open entrance transitions gradually into a more intimate zone towards the restaurant, offering a comfortable setting for a coffee break, casual meeting or quiet study.
Free-form timber volumes define the lobby space, housing key public functions such as the café, ticket desk and museum shop. Movable partitions enable the lobby to adapt for different types of events and commercial collaborations.
Exhibition spaces
The main exhibition hall is a column-free, highly adaptable space designed for a wide range of installations, special lighting and controlled acoustic conditions. The adjacent temporary exhibition area connects directly to the lobby and can function as part of the main exhibition or as an independent space for commercial or educational use.
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