Near Figure Musèu by Meng Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronze in Arquitectura Competition Category.

BronzeArquitectura· 2026

Near Figure Musèu

by Meng Zhao

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Arquitectura Category

8,494

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #173036

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Near Figure Musèu

Near Figure es un musèu concebut per Helsinki, en Finlàndia. Lo bastiment explòra l'estat entre las formas identificablas e las non identificablas. Las formas transmeton un sens de tòca mas demòran irresolgudas, atal la legibilitat apareis progressivament a mesura que los visitaires se desplaçan dins los espacis. Dos caminaments de circulacion separats son entremesclats per de cambiaments dins la forma arquitecturala. Lo musèu conten de galariás dobèrtas, de salas d'exposicion, un cafè, de plataformas exterioras e d'airals d'activitats. Lo beton verd e lo boès reciclat melhoran l'isolacion e redusisson las emissions de carbòni. La superfícia bruta de plancat es de 6400 mètres carrats.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Near Figure Musèu a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze, una reconeissença plan prestigiosa acordada a de designs excellents que se destrian per la creativitat, l'engenh e la finessa. Los ganhaires del Bronze son d'artefactes largament abils e sorprenentament creatius que provan la vasta experiéncia, l'imaginacion e l'engenhositat de lors designers. S'espèra que Near Figure Musèu siá un objècte fòrça considerat, admirat e estimat, notablament professional e innovant. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze integra las melhoras practicas de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia e es excellent per son atencion al detalh. Near Figure Musèu satisfa esplendidament los besonhs, toca los desirs, encanta los sentiments e interèssa la curiositat.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Museum in Finland explores the concept of "Near Figure" in architecture, an idea that engages with the critical state between identifiable and unidentifiable forms. This project delves into the tension of architectural progression, capturing a transitional phase where space and form exist in a state of both static and dynamic potential. Through this exploration, the museum represents an evolving symbol of the future of architectural trends.
Dimensions & Packaging: Gross floor area: 6400 square meters Project type: Museum, Exhibits, Pavilions
Tags: Museum, Near Figure, Exhibition, Helsinki, Finland, monumental building, city landmark, public space
Production Technology: The material choice of concrete plays a central role. Its malleability offers the flexibility to express the tension between clarity and abstraction, making it an ideal medium to embody the critical state of architectural form. Concrete allows for the fluidity of shape transitions, highlighting the project's exploration of thresholds and the notion of purpose in design. The combination of recycled wood with green concrete improve the building's insulation and effectively reduces carbon emissions
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge is exploring the meaning in Architecture. The project invested the big shape/form/figure with an air of purposefulness and will. Since modernism as a global hegemonic attitude was shaken and then definitively overcome by the forces of pomo and decon and the digital revolution, there has been a crisis in the belief that questions such as: How does architecture communicate? What is legible? The notion that meaning is possible or desirable in architecture has been challenged.
Research: The punchline to the project is something called a "near figure." Something with a shape, form or figure that conveys an uncanny sense of purpose, but is unable to be satisfactorily resolved into anything identifiable that could become singular and ultimately repressive. Trying to catch the sense of Progressiveness from mathematic geometry-cube. A series of transformation help to discover the threshold of Progressiveness of Legibility. Figure out the minimal and maximum transition of near figure
Inspiration: The "Near Figure" concept, where shapes and forms convey a sense of purpose but are deliberately left in a state that resists complete resolution. This ambiguity allows for a new type of legibility-one that emerges gradually as the viewer engages with the structure. Through the concept, the museum pushes the boundaries of contemporary architecture. It symbolizes a shift in architectural thinking towards a more conceptual, evolving expressions of purpose and identity in architecture.
Project Duration: The project located in Helsinki Finland
Operation Flow: Two independent and directionally distinct circulation paths are interwoven through the transformation of the architectural form. The building's primary functions include open galleries, exhibition halls, cafe, exterior platforms, and activity areas. Within the public spaces, formal variations and deformations create enclosed functional zones such as offices, kitchen, private dining rooms, lounges, and intimate exhibition rooms.
Image Credits: Designer: Meng Zhao Graphic: Meng Zhao