JKMM animates roof of helsinki's amos rex museum with 'oasis' garden installation

helsinki’s amos rex museum has brought its roofscape to life with a garden installation called ‘oasis’. comprising 80 wooden planters, the installation has been designed by asmo jaaksi, co-founder of JKMM — the architecture firm who designed the museum itself. ‘amos rex museum’s rooftop square was always about developing city life and culture in helsinki in a way that is informal and open to everyone,’ explains asmo jaaksi. ‘it’s great to see that the public square has taken off so well, not only as a welcoming place to gather, but now also as an outdoor gallery. this, of course, is something that is all the more valuable during the pandemic.’

all images and video courtesy of amos rex/ KopterCam, unless otherwise stated

JKMM’s installation is made up of 80 wooden planters that create an ‘orchard’ that also marks the 80th anniversary of konstsamfundet — the foundation originally set up to help fund and manage amos rex. the planters are made using finnish pine and contain over 30 different cooking herbs and edible flowers as well as vegetables, berries, and fruits. the planted structures, which are dense enough to immerse the visitor in a maze-like environment, seek to create a balance between the architecture and the public square with the greenery contrasting the hard urban landscape.

the installation is amos rex’s first foray into outdoor exhibitions utilizing its rooftop space as part of its curatorial program. it also serves as an example for how the museum can accommodate open air experiences, despite it being largely underground. ‘from the beginning, amos rex’s idea has been that the square is an integral part of the art museum,’ says kai kartio, museum director of amos rex. ‘now, two years after the opening of the museum, we are able to implement this idea in the form of an installation.’

when the installation is dismantled the plants will be distributed to new homes, including helsinki’s schools, while the timber will be gifted to workshops in the city. the installation remains on view until september 6, 2020.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the amos rex museum here
image by tuomas uusheimo

project info:

name: oasis
location: amos rex museum, helsinki, finland
designer: asmo jaaksi / JKMM architects
project architect: reetta aarnio / JKMM architects
producer: päivi raivio / raivio bumann
client: konstsamfundet
timber frames: TREEFORM
planting: labbyn puutarha
photography / footage: amos rex/ KopterCam