Harri Koskinen is the exhibition architect for Siida

Designer Harri Koskinen has been selected as the architectural designer for the new permanent exhibition at Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida. The existing exhibition will be renewed in conjunction with the expansion and renovation of Siida and will be completed in April 2022.

Harri Koskinen and his Friends of Industry company will be responsible for architecture and graphic design related to the permanent exhibition and supervision of its construction and implementation. Koskinen’s long-term partners include Iittala and Genelec. He created the architecture for the latest Tapio Wirkkala and Oiva Toikka exhibitions. Koskinen has had many international clients – mostly from Japan and Italy – during his career. A hotel concept that he designed is set to open in Kyoto at the end of this year.

  • The exhibition at Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida is an amazing and diverse design challenge at the heart of Sámi culture. I’m really looking forward to cooperating with so many partners, says Harri Koskinen.

The Siida exhibition renewal is an integral part of the renovation and expansion of the museum and nature centre building. The exhibition is more than 20 years old and Sámi Museum Director Sari Valkonen is very happy to see it being renewed and to have Koskinen involved in the work.

  • Koskinen is the right choice to create the best setting for exhibition content, such as the Sámi material returning from the National Museum of Finland. This material will play a particularly important role in the new exhibition, explains Valkonen.

National Park Superintendent Pirjo Seurujärvi from Metsähallitus is delighted to have a renowned designer like Harri Koskinen join the team.

  • Siida’s current main exhibition was designed by the respected architects Juhani Pallasmaa and Sami Wirkkala back in the 1990s. The selection of Harri Koskinen as exhibition architect is a worthy continuation of the Siida story. Koskinen will have a key role in coordinating the cultural and nature contents of the exhibition.

The selection of the architectural designer was carried out via a public procurement procedure. This was a two-stage process in which the tenderers who advanced to the second phase were asked to provide a sample of their work.

Further information:        

Museum Director Sari Valkonen                                    +358 (0)40 767 1052 sari.valkonen@samimuseum.fi

National Park Superintendent Pirjo Seurujärvi          +358 (0)40 767 1052 pirjo.seurujarvi@metsa.fi

Designer Harri Koskinen                                                 +358 (0)40 5518160 harri@harrikoskinen.com

 

For more information about Harri Koskinen:

http://www.harrikoskinen.com/

 

Located in Inari, Siida houses the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre as well as Restaurant Sarrit. The Sámi Museum Foundation is responsible for operations at the Sámi Museum. The Northern Lapland Nature Centre is part of Metsähallitus’ national network of nature centres.

 The Siida building that opened in 1998 will be renovated and expanded, with the new parts housing the Sámi Museum Collections Unit and the restaurant. The joint permanent exhibition of the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre will be renewed. Things are changing, but we will remain open throughout the renovation and exhibition renewal. The larger, renovated Siida and the new exhibition will open in April 2022.