Jewish History Museum Awarded First Finlandia Prize for Architecture

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Polanddesigned by Helsinki-based firm Lahdelma & Mahlamki Architects in collaboration with Kurylowicz & Associateshas been awarded the first Finlandia Prize for Architecture.

The Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) created the Finlandia Prize for Architecture to honor an impeccable building designed by a Finnish architect or a building built in Finland within the past three years.

Pawel Paniczko

The jury included Juulia Kauste, director of the Museum of Finnish Architecture; Jorma Mukala, editor-in-chief of the Finnish Architectural Review; and Sixten Korkman, an economics professor at Aalto University. The Museum of the History of Polish Jews was the only building outside of Finland to make the jurys shortlist. The other buildings on the shortlist were Gsta's Pavilion in Mntt, MX_SI and Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkanen Architects; the Seinjoki Public Library, JKMM Architects; and Kaisa House, the main library for Helsinki University, Anttinen Oiva Architects.

Pawel Paniczko

The museum building, which is used for research, education, exhibitions, and culture related to Jewish heritage, is located adjacent to a memorial that pays tribute to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943. The buildings exterior is wrapped with perforated copper and silkscreen-printed glass panels that feature Latin and Hebrew text. The museum floors are travertine stone, and a large entrance hall cuts through the entire building and features curved walls that extend the full height of the space.

"The mood of the building is solemn and dignified, but at the same time warm and optimistic," says Korkman. "Familiarization with the surrounding building stock leads to the idea that we are dealing with more than just a museum: This building is a powerful and significant work of art that will change the look of Warsaw as a whole."

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Jewish History Museum Awarded First Finlandia Prize for Architecture