Helsinki Design Week’s programme includes a pop-up bar in a former bank hall, an exhibition showcasing new materials, discussions on museum architecture – and much more.
The largest design and architecture festival in the Nordic countries, Helsinki Design Week, is held annually in September. In accordance with the annual theme ‘Underneath’, the event will dive deep into creative processes and highlight the most interesting phenomena in the creative fields at three main venues and with over a hundred other events.
The main event venue at Paasivuorenkatu 3 will be the festival’s central stage. The event, set in an old bank hall owned by the Main Partner Antilooppi, promises engaging discussions, exchanges of ideas, and interactions.
Event partner Marimekko will ensure that the space of the old bank hall transforms into a comprehensive experience. “Nordic design sets trends in
the areas of functional design, the use of colour and new materials. Helsinki Design Week provides an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the field
of design, and we are very happy to be a partner in this event,” says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, design director at Marimekko responsible for home products and pattern design.
Both city residents and design professionals can enjoy an ever changing daily discussion programme from Wednesday to Saturday (11–14 September), from the afternoon until late at night. On Wednesday, the stage will be taken over by fashion industry influencers and developers of new materials. Thursday will feature architects as the new AD Museum brings the most exciting international creative talents to Helsinki.
“The journey towards the new AD Museum is at a pivotal point – the architectural competition for the new museum building will introduce a new visible landmark and player to Helsinki’s cityscape. The visions presented in this competition offer tangible and concrete thoughts on what the new museum means for the creative industries and the vitality of the Helsinki metropolitan area – a discussion that is important to have now,” says Kaarina Gould, CEO of the Finnish Architecture and Design Museum Foundation.
The architecture-themed day will end with an inspiring “House of an Architect” evening, where architects will talk about their favorite residential buildings. Friday twill feature diverse discussions on multidisciplinary creativity – and of course, the lively and anticipated PechaKucha Night. On Saturday, the voices of city residents and urban developers will be heard. The event culminates in the city after dark, Helsinki Design Night, which will bring a club atmosphere to the venue with music and performances.
Design and architecture will be celebrated in dozens of events around the city – the full list will be announced in August
The Helsinki Design Award of the City of Helsinki and Helsinki Design Week recognizes and highlights the contributions of the business community
to the field of design. The search is ongoing for an entity that stands out with bold and international activities. The jury members include Helsinki’s Chief Design Officer Hanna Harris, City Design Manager Piritta Hannonen, CEO Minka Koukkunen, and start-up entrepreneur Mona Ismail. The jury is
chaired by the founder and director of Helsinki Design Week, Kari Korkman.
The classic HDW event, Design Market (7–8 September), will be held at the Cable Factory, featuring participants such as Kokori, COMMON, Modeo, and Yrjö Kukkapuro, as well as Skanno. Fashion enthusiasts can find treasures from háló, Katri Niskanen, and Klaus Haapaniemi, among others.
Additionally, special sections will be set up, such as the Print Market with printed products and publications, the Little Market for the youngest family members, and the Collector’s Market for vintage, special editions, and unique items.
The Design Diplomacy series (11–13 September) invites city residents to ambassadors’ residences to follow a card-based dialogue game between designers. Participating countries include Denmark, the Netherlands, Iceland, Belgium, Spain, Uruguay, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Estonia. The participating designers will be announced in August, when event registration also begins. The Open Studios evenings (6 and 13 September) offer tours of the most interesting workspaces and inspiring offices – with surprise performances not to be missed.
The main event venues also include Aalto University’s new Marsio building (6–15 September) and Habitare at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (11–15 September). The multidisciplinary Designs for a Cooler Planet event on Aalto’s campus will showcase prototypes of future materials, textiles, health technologies, and solutions supporting biodiversity. Visitors will also get a glimpse into space and learn about cybersecurity. Habitare, on the other hand, offers experiences and ideas for interior design and the functionality and visual appeal of homes and spaces. The Showrooms Habitare x HDW concept invites you to explore the latest novelties in design brands’ own spaces around the city.
The open call for events ensures the programme’s diversity, with creative fields well represented once again. The programme includes a wallpaper
workshop, discussions on urban design and book design, as well as a colour seminar and a ceramics exhibition. Creative individuals, companies, and communities still have the opportunity to apply. More information on the open content search can be found here.
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