National Museum’s Partial Renovation Completed Ahead of 2027 Reopening
The partial renovation of the National Museum in Helsinki has been completed, with the principal contractor NCC confirming that the project was finalised according to plans and cost objectives. The museum has now taken possession of the renovated spaces and has begun constructing exhibitions, which are set to open to the public in April (MTV Uutiset).
The renovation, which began in autumn 2023, focused on restoring the museum’s historic Jugendstil main building, completed in 1910, while improving its functionality, accessibility, and safety. Key upgrades included the restoration of structural elements and enhancements to building services (Yle).
A Modernised Inner Courtyard and New Spaces
One of the most significant changes was the transformation of the museum’s open inner courtyard into a heated, glass-roofed space. The new courtyard connects the historic main building to the modern extension, which was completed in June 2024 and added nearly 6,000 square metres of new space, most of it underground (MTV Uutiset).
The renovation also involved extensive roof repairs, with around 60 percent of the original Welsh slate tiles reinstalled after restoration. The remaining tiles were replaced with new ones, while the copper roofing—including intricate features such as roof towers and lanterns—was largely preserved. The façades were renewed, with deep-jointed repointing and weather-protected repairs to the renderings and stonework (Yle).
Inside the building, over a hundred colour samples were tested to ensure the restored surfaces matched the original aesthetic. Acoustics were improved, and two new ventilation units were installed in the attic. The museum’s technical systems underwent significant upgrades, while measures were taken to protect culturally sensitive elements, such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s frescoes, from dust and environmental fluctuations (Yle).
Ongoing Work and Future Plans
While the main renovation is complete, work on the museum’s Carriage House is still underway and is expected to continue until the end of the year. The full reopening of the National Museum is scheduled for spring 2027, marking the conclusion of the largest construction project in the institution’s over 100-year history (Yle).
