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Helsinki Design Week: eight exhibitions to watch out at the fair and downtown

From 11 to 15 September, the Helsinki Design Week will focus on climate challenges, with over 200 events and Habitare, Finland’s largest design fair, while the city is committed to become carbon-neutral by 2035.

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The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Rasmus Palmgren, Tool Chair

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Rasmus Palmgren, Fold Shelf

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Laura Itkonen, Marquis

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Laura Itkonen, Sculptural series set

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Hemmo Honkonen, Audible

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Hemmo Honkonen, Notko, side table for lounge and lobby spaces

The Block: Protoshop

The “Protoshop” exhibition presents 10-12 new prototypes or product ideas, that demonstrate an insightful way of finding new solutions to current issues and the ability to turn an idea into a product that will stand the test of time.
In the photo: Elisa Defossez, Nuku, modular acoustic surface in wool felt

The Block: Protoshop

The “Protoshop” exhibition presents 10-12 new prototypes or product ideas, that demonstrate an insightful way of finding new solutions to current issues and the ability to turn an idea into a product that will stand the test of time.
In the photo: Varjo (‘Shadow’) by Onni-Vilhelm Ojanen is a ceiling lamp in which a plant acts as a shade

Habi Kids

Created by Aino Heikkinen, the “Habi Kids” section gives children the opportunity to explore Helsinki through creative play as they roll the dice and advance on the game board. The game is set in Helsinki and based on the well-known board game Monopoly. This year’s theme of the Habitare, “Mindspaces”, moves the game between the material and the intangible, as well as between the real and the imaginary.

Habitarematerials

Curated by NEMO architects Jussi Laine and Maria Laine together with Avotakka magazine, “Habitarematerials” is a new kind of interactive material library, where visitors can explore surface materials and experiment with combinations of different materials for their projects and purchases. The goal is to provide a participative exhibition experience for the visitors, increase material awareness and enable a new way of participation for material manufacturers.
In the photo: “New Dimensions of a Ceramic Tile”, by ABL Laatat and Metropolia Muotoilu (on show at Erottaja 2). ABL Laatat is part of the “Habitarematerials” section

Climate School

With the City of Helsinki’s ambitious plans to become carbon neutral by 2035, the festival prompts discussion about the practicalities of reaching this target. Helsinki Design Week has teamed up with Aalto University, University of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki bringing together creatives and experts from different industries to delve into a range of topics relating to the theme, Climate Learning. City Hall will host the “Climate School” where citizens can learn from and participate in discussion with leading sustainability researchers and businesses.
In the photo: the week-long timetable of the Climate School includes lessons and workshops relating to different themes, such as transport, housing, fashion, food and construction

Designs for a cooler planet

Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi transforms into a new Helsinki Design Week hub. The “Designs for a Cooler Planet” exhibition will showcase solutions that support more sustainable lifestyles, including furniture made from construction waste, new product materials and ecological textiles.
In the photo: Korvaa, The world’s first microbe-grown headset. Photo Aivan

Erottaja 2

The festival’s main exhibition venue is a neo-renaissance palace, opened to the public for the first time. The exceptional venue will house two exhibitions – “DesignPartners19” and “Room with a View” – as well as an exhibition of the finalists’ works of the “Helsinki Design Awards”.

Erottaja 2

The festival’s main exhibition venue is a neo-renaissance palace, opened to the public for the first time. The exceptional venue will house two exhibitions – “DesignPartners19” and “Room with a View” – as well as an exhibition of the finalists’ works of the “Helsinki Design Awards”.
In the photo: “Room with a View”, Viivi Lehto Puutarhassa, In the Garden, 2019. Photo © Hannakaisa Pekkala

Design Museum Helsinki

At the Design Museum Helsinki, the “Critical Tide” exhibition brings together projects and works that explore the sea and the potential for positive impact through design (until 27 October). The exhibition was created by a multi-professional, international team: Julia Lohmann (designer and professor at Aalto University based in Helsinki), Pirjo Haikola (designer, scuba diving instructor and researcher at RMIT in Melbourne), Gillian Russell (designer, curator and researcher at Emily Carr University in Vancouver) and Gero Grundmann (designer and illustrator based in Helsinki).
In the photo: Julia Lohmann’s seaweed sculpture Oki Naganode / Noortje Knulst, On Display Magazine 2016

Design Museum Helsinki

At the Design Museum Helsinki, the “Secret Universe” exhibition presents (until 29 September) work by the COMPANY design studio (Aamu Song & Johan Olin) from over the past ten years. Since 2007, the designers have travelled around the world, seeking in a folkloristic spirit traditional crafts techniques and manufacturing skills. These trips have resulted in art objects, clothing, accessories and furniture made together with local masters of crafts.

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Rasmus Palmgren, Tool Chair

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Rasmus Palmgren, Fold Shelf

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Laura Itkonen, Marquis

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Laura Itkonen, Sculptural series set

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Hemmo Honkonen, Audible

The Block: Talentshop

The “Talentshop” exhibition gathers the four most interesting Finnish designers of the moment, selected by curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall from Imu Design among 28 applicants. The four designers are: Laura Itkonen, Kristoffer Heikkinen, Hemmo Honkonen and Rasmus Palmgren.
In the photo: Hemmo Honkonen, Notko, side table for lounge and lobby spaces

The Block: Protoshop

The “Protoshop” exhibition presents 10-12 new prototypes or product ideas, that demonstrate an insightful way of finding new solutions to current issues and the ability to turn an idea into a product that will stand the test of time.
In the photo: Elisa Defossez, Nuku, modular acoustic surface in wool felt

The Block: Protoshop

The “Protoshop” exhibition presents 10-12 new prototypes or product ideas, that demonstrate an insightful way of finding new solutions to current issues and the ability to turn an idea into a product that will stand the test of time.
In the photo: Varjo (‘Shadow’) by Onni-Vilhelm Ojanen is a ceiling lamp in which a plant acts as a shade

Habi Kids

Created by Aino Heikkinen, the “Habi Kids” section gives children the opportunity to explore Helsinki through creative play as they roll the dice and advance on the game board. The game is set in Helsinki and based on the well-known board game Monopoly. This year’s theme of the Habitare, “Mindspaces”, moves the game between the material and the intangible, as well as between the real and the imaginary.

Habitarematerials

Curated by NEMO architects Jussi Laine and Maria Laine together with Avotakka magazine, “Habitarematerials” is a new kind of interactive material library, where visitors can explore surface materials and experiment with combinations of different materials for their projects and purchases. The goal is to provide a participative exhibition experience for the visitors, increase material awareness and enable a new way of participation for material manufacturers.
In the photo: “New Dimensions of a Ceramic Tile”, by ABL Laatat and Metropolia Muotoilu (on show at Erottaja 2). ABL Laatat is part of the “Habitarematerials” section

Climate School

With the City of Helsinki’s ambitious plans to become carbon neutral by 2035, the festival prompts discussion about the practicalities of reaching this target. Helsinki Design Week has teamed up with Aalto University, University of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki bringing together creatives and experts from different industries to delve into a range of topics relating to the theme, Climate Learning. City Hall will host the “Climate School” where citizens can learn from and participate in discussion with leading sustainability researchers and businesses.
In the photo: the week-long timetable of the Climate School includes lessons and workshops relating to different themes, such as transport, housing, fashion, food and construction

Designs for a cooler planet

Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi transforms into a new Helsinki Design Week hub. The “Designs for a Cooler Planet” exhibition will showcase solutions that support more sustainable lifestyles, including furniture made from construction waste, new product materials and ecological textiles.
In the photo: Korvaa, The world’s first microbe-grown headset. Photo Aivan

Erottaja 2

The festival’s main exhibition venue is a neo-renaissance palace, opened to the public for the first time. The exceptional venue will house two exhibitions – “DesignPartners19” and “Room with a View” – as well as an exhibition of the finalists’ works of the “Helsinki Design Awards”.

Erottaja 2

The festival’s main exhibition venue is a neo-renaissance palace, opened to the public for the first time. The exceptional venue will house two exhibitions – “DesignPartners19” and “Room with a View” – as well as an exhibition of the finalists’ works of the “Helsinki Design Awards”.
In the photo: “Room with a View”, Viivi Lehto Puutarhassa, In the Garden, 2019. Photo © Hannakaisa Pekkala

Design Museum Helsinki

At the Design Museum Helsinki, the “Critical Tide” exhibition brings together projects and works that explore the sea and the potential for positive impact through design (until 27 October). The exhibition was created by a multi-professional, international team: Julia Lohmann (designer and professor at Aalto University based in Helsinki), Pirjo Haikola (designer, scuba diving instructor and researcher at RMIT in Melbourne), Gillian Russell (designer, curator and researcher at Emily Carr University in Vancouver) and Gero Grundmann (designer and illustrator based in Helsinki).
In the photo: Julia Lohmann’s seaweed sculpture Oki Naganode / Noortje Knulst, On Display Magazine 2016

Design Museum Helsinki

At the Design Museum Helsinki, the “Secret Universe” exhibition presents (until 29 September) work by the COMPANY design studio (Aamu Song & Johan Olin) from over the past ten years. Since 2007, the designers have travelled around the world, seeking in a folkloristic spirit traditional crafts techniques and manufacturing skills. These trips have resulted in art objects, clothing, accessories and furniture made together with local masters of crafts.

At the fair
“Mindspaces” is this year’s theme of Habitare 2019, Finland’s largest furniture, design and decoration event. Because, as explain the designers of the theme, the trend expert Antti Rimminen (from Urban View) and the culture and fashion reporter Mia Dillemuth, “Metaphorically, the mind can be thought of as a house with different rooms”.
Alberto Alessi, president of the Italian design company Alessi, will be the international Friend of Habitare in 2019. He will be exploring Habitare, selecting the most interesting content and will give a keynote speech on the opening day 11 September 2019.
Not to miss: The Block: young designers’ area; Habi Kids; Habitarematerials; Habitare Startup

What:
Habitare 2019. Interior, design & furniture fair
When:
11–15 September 2019
Where:
Messukeskus, Fair ground

In the city
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Helsinki Design Week takes over the Finnish capital with more than 200 events taking place between 5 to 15 September 2019. This year the festival explores design-driven climate solutions and collaborations tackling the environmental crisis at the intersection of design and science, showcasing designers and innovators leading the way in the development of climate-friendly solutions.
Not to miss: Climate School; Designs for a cooler planet; Erottaja 2; Design Museum Helsinki

What:
Helsinki Design Week
When:
5–15 September 2019
Where:
Erottaja 2, Helsinki

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