Project Name: Chappe Art House

Location: Ekenäs, Finland

Design Team: JKMM Architects

Area: 1,210 m²

Completion: 2023

Photography: Tuomas Uusheimo

Feature：

Project - JKMM Architects has unveiled Chappe Art House, a striking contemporary cultural venue nestled in the historic coastal town of Tammisaari, Finland. The 1,210-square-metre building serves as a testament to the seamless integration of modern architectural principles with traditional Finnish craftsmanship.

The three-storey structure, commissioned by the Albert de la Chapelle Foundation, stands out for its sophisticated black spruce cladding that pays homage to the region's rich timber architectural heritage while asserting its contemporary identity. The building's distinctive form creates a contextual landmark that harmoniously weaves into the fabric of the 18th-century townscape.

What sets Chappe Art House apart is its innovative approach to spatial organization. The building features lofty, hall-like spaces that serve dual purposes – housing museum-grade galleries while accommodating community events. The top level houses the main exhibition galleries, while the ground floor opens into a generous multi-purpose foyer that connects to a shared museum garden, linking it physically and programmatically to the existing Raseborg Museum complex.

JKMM Architects, led by founding partner Asmo Jaaksi, has masterfully integrated art installations as architectural elements, collaborating with Finnish artists such as Karin Widnäs and Petri Vainio. The interior spaces showcase exposed timber structure on the upper levels, introducing warmth and tactility to the gallery environments while maintaining museum-grade environmental controls for art preservation.

The building's thoughtful design extends to its relationship with its surroundings, featuring carefully framed views of the sea and old town. This attention to context, combined with its technical sophistication and commitment to accessibility, positions Chappe Art House as a significant cultural catalyst for the region, transforming a traditionally seasonal destination into a year-round cultural hub. The project exemplifies how contemporary cultural architecture can both honor local heritage and drive community vitality through innovative design solutions.

Design Team - JKMM Architects, established in 1998 in Finland, has emerged as one of the Nordic region's most influential architectural practices, renowned for their holistic approach to design and commitment to social responsibility. Led by founding partner Asmo Jaaksi, the Helsinki-based studio has grown to encompass nearly 100 designers who share a common vision of creating architecture that fosters societal well-being.

The practice's portfolio demonstrates exceptional versatility across cultural, civic, and educational sectors, with notable projects including the internationally acclaimed Amos Rex Art Museum and the recent Chappe Art House. Their design philosophy interweaves six core principles: nature-inspired forms, human-centric approaches, intelligent simplicity, execution-focused methodology, bespoke solutions, and holistic integration.

JKMM's expertise spans architecture, interior architecture, urban design, and furniture design, allowing them to deliver comprehensive design solutions that seamlessly blend different scales and disciplines. Their commitment to innovation is evidenced by their impressive track record of over 100 architectural competition wins, including more than 50 first prizes, making them Finland's most successful competition office.

The firm's work has been recognized globally through prestigious awards and exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Finnish Architecture, establishing JKMM as a leading force in contemporary Nordic architecture.