Little Finland punches above its weight class when it comes to contemporary design. To put things into perspective: Helsinki began hosting the Habitare design fair since 1970, 25 years before the birth of 100% Design and Maison et Objet.
This year Habitare anchored an entire week of events that swept up the city, from PechaKucha Night at the Savoy Theatre to a minimalistic sauna on Suomenlinna island designed by sculptor Harri Markkula. Still the show has grown in relevance along with the city.
Little Finland punches above its weight class when it comes to contemporary design. To put things into perspective: Helsinki began hosting the Habitare design fair since 1970, 25 years before the birth of 100% Design and Maison et Objet.
This year Habitare anchored an entire week of events that swept up the city, from PechaKucha Night at the Savoy Theatre to a minimalistic sauna on Suomenlinna island designed by sculptor Harri Markkula. Still the show has grown in relevance along with the city.
With a focus on sustainable materials in the country’s signature quirky shapes, the show delivered with a new EcoDesign section curated by Toshiyuki Kita; wood-cut products by Jouko Jarvisalo; storage by Matti Syrjälän; and the Trash Factory exhibition, featuring a monumental wood work by China’s United Design Group.
Elsewhere, the cosy Helsinki Design Open showed a curated selection of homewares by a mostly female selection of creatives – Karin Widnäs, Susan Elo, Johanna Gullichsen – in Alvar Aalto’s landmark Rautatalo marble courtyard. And home and garden supplier Fiskars showcased its new pavilion, a gallery-like space featuring art installations created with Fiskars’ scissors and dishware.
Prototype ‘Kapseli’ lights by local designer Simo Serpola
‘Lanka’ bookstand, by Matti Syrjälän, for Mama Design
At the entrance of Habitare, designer Yrjö Kukkapuro has curated an exhibition of ecologically-minded designs, entitled ‘EcoDesign’, which includes ‘LOG’ lighting by Olli Mustikainen and Jari Nyman
A bookshelf by Leo Lindroos, part of EcoDesign
Inside, textiles by Finnish fabric designer Johanna Gullichsen
A rug by Milan-based Kristiina Lassus
Chairs by Finnish furniture company Nikari, created in collaboration with Jasper Morrison
‘Valo’ lights, by Susan Elo
Prototype lamps, by Sebastian Jansson, on show at Habitare design fair’s ‘Singular Pluralist’ exhibition