JKMM Architects wins the 2026 Helsinki Design Award

The Helsinki Design Award highlights current, socially significant phenomena and recognises the people and organizations driving them forward. Through the award, Helsinki Design Week and the City of Helsinki have highlighted the importance of Finnish design from the perspectives of urban design and design education, as well as the creative economy and business.

JKMM has grown from a studio founded by four architects in 1998 into an office of nearly 80 designers, with comprehensive, high-quality design at its core.

"We are particularly delighted by this recognition, as it is closely connected to our home city of Helsinki and the internationally acclaimed Helsinki Design Week. For us, design has always been holistic and based on dialogue – we want to approach every assignment with care and seek solutions where quality, humanity and social significance go hand in hand. We believe that meaningful and enduring architecture is created in collaboration with experts from different fields, clients and users. At its best, architecture enriches urban culture and creates shared public spaces where people can meet and experience the city as their own. That is why this award belongs to the entire JKMM team and to all our partners with whom we have had the opportunity to build a better Helsinki together." Asmo Jaaksi, Founding Partner, Architect SAFA, JKMM Architects

JKMM is an exceptional Finnish practice in that it takes an active role in shaping a new direction for architecture. This is reflected in its participation in architectural competitions, ambition for growth, international activities and its responsibility for major projects of societal significance. The practice has succeeded in more than 100 architectural competitions, winning more than half of them.

“JKMM is known for numerous ambitious and insightful public buildings and spaces. Helsinki residents have already fallen in love with the playfulness of Lasipalatsi Square and the Amos Rex museum beside it. The extension of the National Museum will open in 2027, and in the future, JKMM’s signature will also be visible in the new Architecture and Design Museum,” says Hanna Harris, Helsinki’s Chief Design Officer.

The 2026 jury consisted of experts in design and business. The members were Hanna Harris, Helsinki’s Chief Design Officer; Laura Aalto, Director of Communications at Aalto University; and Sanna-Kaisa Niikko, Chief Marketing Officer at Marimekko. The jury was chaired by Kari Korkman, Director and founder of Helsinki Design Week.

“Architecture creates the places where a city can gather, encounter others and experience something new – while cultural festivals bring these places to life, continuously introducing new audiences, content and meanings. In the spirit of this year’s theme, The Oncoming Other, we want to recognise those who open up new possibilities for what can happen in the city,” says Kari Korkman.

Helsinki Design Week takes place across the city from 28 August to 6 September 2026. Explore the programme  here.

JKMM Architects

JKMM Architects has shaped Finland’s urban landscape with landmarks such as Sairaala Nova in Jyväskylä, the Mylly campus of the University of the Arts Helsinki and the underground Amos Rex art museum, a finalist for the Finlandia Prize for Architecture. The practice’s ability to combine bold contemporary architecture with historical contexts can also be seen in the National Museum’s Uusi Atlas extension, Turku City Library and the new Architecture and Design Museum being developed in Helsinki’s South Harbour.

Helsinki Design Award

Helsinki Design Week has presented the Helsinki Design Award together with the City of Helsinki since 2022. Previous recipients include Päivi Raivio (2022), Arabia Comprehensive School (2023), Reaktor (2024) and Aalto University’s Designs for a Cooler Planet programme (2025).