Atlas gate of the National Museum. Ferromicaceo metal surface

A new entrance built into the historic stone wall of the National Museum leads towards the Atlas extension. The living metal surface of the custom-made gate was finished with OIKOS Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo.

A new view opens up on Mannerheimintie in Helsinki, where over a century-old national romantic architecture meets today's Finnish design. A custom-made gate built into the historic stone wall of the National Museum of Finland leads towards the Atlas extension designed by JKMM Architects. The gate's vibrant metal surface was finished with Deco Paint Finland's OIKOS Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo.

The final result changes subtly with light, weather and viewing angle. Up close, the surface reveals its rough, artisanal texture. From a distance, it forms a calm dark frame for the organic pattern of the gate and the light pavilion rising behind it.

“The paint refracts light beautifully, and the texture is noticeable both with the eyes and the fingers.”

A custom-made gate created in collaboration

The gate at the new entrance to the National Museum was created in collaboration with several metal and surface treatment experts. The organic patterns of the gates were water-jet cut Suomen Vesileikkaus Oy. Waterjet cutting is suitable for producing demanding and detailed shapes without deformation caused by high temperatures.

The other parts and assembly of the gates were carried out by Helsinki-based Konepaja Mäkelin Oy. The priming was done as a subcontract, after which Konepaja Mäkelin was responsible for the color painting of the gates with OIKOS Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo and the protective surface treatment in its own machine shop. The company also installed the finished gates in place at the National Museum site.

The family business, founded in 1955, specializes in the manufacture and installation of metal doors, windows, facades and steel structures, among other things. In this custom-made work, precisely water-cut patterns, careful assembly and a vibrant metal surface form an ensemble that fits naturally into the historic stone wall.

Atlas opens a new route to the National Museum

The expansion of the National Museum is one of the most significant Finnish cultural construction projects of our time. The international architectural competition held in 2019 was won by the proposal Atlas by JKMM Architects. The new part, which will be handed over to the museum in June 2026, will bring almost 6,000 square meters of new exhibition, event and public spaces. The renovated National Museum will open to the public in April 2027.

Approximately 90 percent of the expansion is located underground. Its most visible part in the cityscape is the glass restaurant pavilion rising into the courtyard park, dominated by a 43-meter-diameter bowl-shaped roof. Over 5,000 unique ceramic tiles have been attached by hand to the underside of the bowl. The pattern of hearts, clovers and crosses reflects light and gives the building an instantly recognizable look.

The new entrance to Mannerheimintie opens a route to the museum park at the very point where the historic stone wall and the new architecture meet. The free-flowing metal pattern of the custom-made gate naturally continues the ornamental design language of the pavilion.

Designed by JKMM Architects, Atlas creates a new layer in the cultural landscape of Mannerheimintie.

A metal surface that lives with the light

More than a uniform color surface was expected from the gate's surface treatment. The goal was a tone and structure that accentuates the shape of the metalwork, reacts to the surrounding light, and feels natural in the context of both the old wall and the modern pavilion.

OIKOS Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo's mica pigments bring a subtle metallic depth to the surface. The paint surface does not appear completely flat or monochromatic, but instead takes on a soft, nuanced sheen in the light. This allows the multidimensional pattern of the gate to emerge without the surface competing with the surrounding architecture.

According to Konepaja Mäkelin Oy, the client was satisfied with the appearance and feel of the surface right from the first model. The finished surface refracts light beautifully, and the texture remained clearly visible even after the protective surface treatment.

The organic pattern and dark metal surface of the gate frame the view of the light, bowl-shaped Atlas pavilion.

Why was OIKOS Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo suitable for the project?

Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo is a water-based special paint based on acrylic resins and mica pigments. It finishes the surface with a lively effect reminiscent of old wrought iron and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

• Vibrant metal effect: light highlights the tones and texture of the surface.
• Versatile substrates: properly primed iron, wood, wall surfaces, galvanized sheet metal and PVC.
• Good coverage: also suitable for irregularly shaped and multi-dimensional surfaces.
• Water-based composition: tools are cleaned with water.
• A+ emission classification: the product is classified as very low-emission.
• Wide range of shades: options for various architectural and interior applications.

A functional metal surface system is built up of layers

A striking topcoat is only one part of a sustainable whole. In addition to Ferromicaceo, the OIKOS product package purchased for the gates of the National Museum included anti-rust, adhesion and protection products:

• Antiruggine Ecologico is a water-based anti-rust primer for iron and metal surfaces. It helps prevent corrosion and forms a durable base for the topcoat.
• Aggrappante Ecologico is an adhesion primer for smooth and difficult-to-adhere substrates, such as galvanized sheet metal and aluminum. The product is selected according to the substrate.
• Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo creates a visible metal effect reminiscent of old wrought iron and emphasizes the organic pattern of the gate.
• Ecoprotettivo Ferro is a transparent protective coating that finishes the painted metal surface and helps protect it from wear and dirt.

Not all primers are automatically applied one after the other: on an iron surface, rust prevention is the main focus, while a smooth or galvanized metal surface may require a separate adhesion primer. The appropriate treatment sequence is always determined by the metal quality, condition of the substrate, operating environment and stress.

Konepaja Mäkelin Oy carried out the color painting and protective surface treatment of the gates in its own workshop.

Serviceability supports a long life cycle

The Atlas extension has a planned service life of 200 years, so the architectural details must also be serviceable. The wet-painted surface of the gate can be touched up later using the same technique as the original treatment. When the shade, product and application method are documented for maintenance, minor damage can be repaired in a controlled manner without having to re-treat the entire gate.

Water-cut patterns, workshop assembly and careful surface treatment create a finished custom-made gate.

In this project, the paint surface is part of the architecture. It emphasizes the artisanal nature of the metalwork, reacts to daylight and ties the gate to the surrounding material and color world. When the gate opens, it concretely leads the visitor from the old to the new – through the historical wall towards the Atlas extension and the National Museum garden.

The new entrance opens a route from Mannerheimintie to the National Museum’s renewed courtyard park.

Are you planning a gate, railing or other metal surface?

OIKOS Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo is suitable for gates, railings, furniture, doors and metal details in public spaces. The best result is achieved when the substrate, the environment, the primer, the desired effect and the protection are designed as a single whole.

The Antiruggine Ecologico, Aggrappante Ecologico, Ecosmalto Ferromicaceo and Ecoprotettivo Ferro mentioned in the article are alternatives for priming, finishing and protecting metal surfaces. Send us information about your project to info@decopaint.fi, and we will help you choose the right package for the substrate and the environment.

Read more about the project and the implementers: National Museum of Finland, JKMM Architects, Konepaja Mäkelin Oy and Suomen Vesileikkaus Oy's waterjet cutting service.