Postcard from Helsinki Design Week 2024

by Editorial Team
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We might study so much from the Finns, not simply from their intrinsic embrace of design as a part of on a regular basis life, however of their way of living full cease. You’ve most likely learn already that they’re frequently (maybe spuriously) voted the happiest inhabitants on the planet. Right here’s a mere smattering of outstanding information gleaned about life in Helsinki from simply two days spent overlaying Helsinki Design Week 2024 (6 to fifteen September). Throughout summer season holidays, on daily basis, all youngsters underneath the age of 16 have entry to free, state-funded, sizzling meals served in playgrounds at lunchtime. There’s a tunnel system underneath Helsinki with a plan to accommodate and assist your complete city inhabitants in case of disaster, full with water, electrical energy, wifi, libraries, playgrounds, an artwork gallery and sufficient meals provides for 3 years. Taxes could be exorbitant however state welfare is deemed adequate to not elicit a lot grumbling. Oh, and apparently Finns name mozzarella Moomin flesh, which is wonderful.

The twentieth version of Helsinki Design Week was themed ‘Beneath’

(Picture credit score: Hugo Macdonald)

We’re right here to speak about design, not Moomins, and, true to Finnish design sensibility, Helsinki Design Week will not be an occasion that takes place solely at a commerce truthful. Over two days we’re proven Alvar Aalto buildings, in fact. However we’re additionally proven a brand new playground that teaches youngsters about digital tradition, a brand new four-storey lodge and HQ for the forestry firm Stora Enso, constructed predominantly from wooden, a brand new housing improvement by American architect Steven Holl, a brand new wood toy firm, and a brand new mixed analysis and exhibition house at Aalto college. We’re taken to new eating places and launched to a brand new architectural competitors for a brand new Museum of Design and Structure that’s spearheading the redevelopment of a brand new museum quarter on the previous harbourfront. We’re launched to the brand new artistic administrators of heritage Finnish design manufacturers. The message is loud and clear: there’s a surge of progress happening in Helsinki, and design is the driving force.

Helsinki Design Week 2024

Meander is a brand new housing venture by Steven Holl, unveiled throughout Helsinki Design Week

(Picture credit score: Hugo Macdonald)

For all of the optimism, not all the things is rosy in Helsinki. There are 50 per cent extra lodge rooms within the capital as we speak than in 2019 – an enormous variety of new properties had been greenlit earlier than the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and, due to the latter, tourism is struggling. Due to the warfare and crucial detour round Russian airspace, Vantaa’s monopoly as an Asian transit hub has all however dried up. That stunning paragon of an airport appears like a ghost city. Finland may now be a part of Nato, however its 1,340km border with Russia looms giant on the horizon and within the consciousness of Finns.

Helsinki Design Week 2024

Helsinki’s south harbour is primed to develop into a brand new museum quarter over the following decade

(Picture credit score: Hugo Macdonald)

At dinner one night time a director of the digital design company Reaktor (winners of this yr’s Helsinki Design Award) defined that the economic system is nimbly transitioning from manufacturing to know-how. But, such is the size of the nation, he stated, Finland can solely ever act as a laboratory for hatching glorious manufacturers that wealthier corporations elsewhere will purchase to catapult into a special worth league. This stayed with me as we took in design week and all its novelties. Economics apart, is being a design-driven laboratory for the remainder of the world such a rum deal? Not less than the Finns have happiness on their facet.

Helsinkidesignweek.com

Helsinki Design Week 2024

A seductive marketing campaign picture from Iittala

(Picture credit score: Hugo Macdonald)

Highlights from Helsinki Design Week 2024

Helsinki Design Week 2024

Designs for a Cooler Planet is in its sixth version on the Aalto College

(Picture credit score: Hugo Macdonald)

Aalto College

Supply: Wallpaper

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