NEW MUSEUM SITE. Mithun Partners has been chosen to design a new Nordic Heritage Museum on the old Fenpro property at the western end of Market Street. Photo by Dean Wong

Nordic Museum architects selected

By Dean Wong

A key component in building a new Nordic Heritage Museum is now in place with the selection of Mithun Partners as the project architect.

"We're very excited that the architect selection has been completed so we may move forward on the design of our new museum on Market Street," said Eric Nelson, executive director, Nordic Heritage Museum.

In 2006, the museum completed a $5.1 million deal to buy the 75,000 square foot Fenpro Building on Market Street between 26th Avenue Northwest and 23rd Avenue Northwest.

Mithun is considered a national leader in sustainable designs. The new museum will incorporate Nordic design, culture and heritage.

The design team includes Juhani Pallasmaa, a well known Finnish architect, and top exhibit designers, Andr/ and Associates from Victoria, British Columbia, known for their work at the Hong Kong Museum of History and the JŠmtlands LŠns Museum in Sweden.

Pallasmaa, an architect, author and professor, has experience as a museum designer and museum director.

"I'm looking forward to working with Seattle's Mithun as well as Andre and Associates on the exhibit design for this project. The Museum has also engaged renowned Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa to be a part of the team creating this world-class museum and cultural center right here in Ballard. Mr. Pallasmaa's work with museums and museum design will only serve to enhance the design process for Mithun as they begin work on the Nordic Heritage Museum, " said Eric Nelson, executive director, Nordic Heritage Museum

The Nordic Heritage is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to preserving the history of the five Nordic countries: Denmark; Finland; Iceland; Norway; and Sweden.

The museum's Board of Directors considered the site a prime location that was very visible in the community, unlike the old Webster School where it is based now. The current museum is in a residential area and lacks the space to host events.

Old wiring in the 1907 era Webster School prevents the installation of interactive computer technology.

A new museum would be climate controlled to protect artifacts, while meeting modern standards to host national quality exhibits.

With a rich history in Ballard, the museum was founded in 1979 with a mission to honor the Scandinavian immigrants who arrived in the Northwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Mithun was founded in 1949 by Omer Mithun, the son of Norwegian immigrants. The firm's focus on sustainability is a legacy of Omer's Nordic influence, expressing such timeless values as clarity of form, innovation and a connection with nature. Mithun takes an integrated approach, encompassing architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, interior design and ecology, to build healthy, lasting environments.

Mithun's experience includes the Suquamish Museum, a new tribal cultural center, the Zoomazium at Woodland Park Zoo, Shilshole Bay Marina's renewal and renovation, and Novelty Hill-Januik Winery in Woodinville. The firm is also widely recognized for designing the REI Seattle Flagship store and IslandWood, an environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island.