Aalto2 Museum Centre Jyväskylä

The Aalto2 Museum Centre consists of two buildings designed by Alvar Aalto – the Alvar Aalto Museum (1971–73, 2023) and the Museum of Central Finland (1956–61, 1991, 2019) – and a new extension, which is being built to connect them (2023). Together, these comprise just over 5,000 square metres, forming the premises of the Aalto2 Museum Centre. The total cost of the project was approximately 16 million euros, of which the state subsidy by the Ministry of Education and Culture totalled 4.1 million euros.

The renovated Alvar Aalto Museum will open its doors after a break of a few years. The museum has undergone structural repairs, the building services have been renewed, and changes have been made to the facilities to serve the new Aalto2 concept. The international ideas competition, held in 2015–2016, for the Aalto2 extension connecting the Museum of Central Finland and the Alvar Aalto Museum was a unique opportunity to develop something new to join the two Alvar Aalto buildings into a whole concept. The second most popular Finnish architectural competition of all time attracted nearly 700 entries from around the world, once again demonstrating the international appeal of Aalto’s architecture. The final extension design is by A-Konsultit Architects, which was also responsible for the renovation of both museums.

The light and spacious extension responds to customers’ wishes by improving accessibility to the museums and increasing cooperation opportunities. The common lobby space, museum shop and café form a whole and a cosy “living room”, making it easier for people to explore the museum centre and its exhibitions. With the improved accessibility of Aalto2 and the joint use of the premises, larger exhibitions, related events and service packages can be offered for different target groups.

“The new museum centre will have a profile as a multifunctional building specialising in cultural environments, architecture and design, offering experiential content that attracts an increasingly wide audience”, says the Director of Museums for the City of Jyväskylä, Heli-Maija Voutilainen of the Museum of Central Finland.

“At the same time, the architecture of the Aalto2 Museum Centre and the exhibitions held there provide a globally unique opportunity for visitors to explore the architect Alvar Aalto’s growth environment, design ideas and realised projects in an authentic space”, adds the CEO of the Alvar Aalto Foundation, Tommi Lindh.