Welcome to Helsinki Design Week
5–15/9/2019
This year the festival explores design-driven climate solutions and collaborations tackling the environmental crisis
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 the intersection of design and science, showcasing designers and innovators leading the way in the development of climate-friendly solutions.
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.
“Design is not only about beautiful objects and interiors, but can play an incredibly important role in solving pressing global issues, such as how to reach climate neutrality. The best results are often achieved through multidisciplinary collaboration, which is why we want to bring together both the design and science communities as well as the wider public. With a number of groundbreaking projects in the pipeline in Finland, we hope to gain inspiration and learn from the emerging talent driving these innovations forward,” says Helsinki Design Week Programme Director, Anni Korkman.
Resolving environmental issues is a job that will require more and more help from designers. Finnish design professionals are already in high demand with more jobs available in 2019 compared to previous years, according to a recent study. The skill set required from designers is also expanding, demonstrating that collaboration will be key in future projects.
Climate School at the City Hall
As part of Helsinki Design Week, City Hall will host the Climate School where citizens can learn from and participate in discussion with leading sustainability researchers and businesses. The week-long timetable includes lessons and workshops relating to different themes, such as transport, housing, fashion, food and construction.
Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi will transform into a new Helsinki Design Week hub. The Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition ensemble will showcase solutions that support more sustainable lifestyles, including furniture made from construction waste, new product materials and ecological textiles.
The festival’s main exhibition at Erottaja 2 offers a unique glimpse into the impressive 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 the opening party and Helsinki Design Awards together with an exhibition of the finalists’ works.
Displaying work by well-known names as well as upcoming designers, the exhibitions paint a picture of what the future of design will look like. These include an environmental and new media work by Teemu Lehmusruusu presented by Artek; a collaboration by material technology company Woodio and floral artist Arteflos that presents a fairytale vision of a modern home and a study of our interactive relation to nature; a microbial headset by Korvaa replacing plastics and animal based materials with microbes and fungi; and an indoor oasis with smart green walls and colorful Lobay chairs by Naava and Jouni Leino with Brocape.
By opening the doors of Erottaja 2, the festival continues its tradition of giving citizens access to unique sites in the city, such as the old customs warehouse (Tulli- ja pakkahuone), the old abattoir (Teurastamo) and the old port warehouse of Jätkäsaari.
Helsinki Design Week’s extensive programme also includes returning favourites such as Children’s Design Week, Data-Driven Design Day, Legal Design Summit and Design Diplomacy events.
For more information and the full programme of events visit www.helsinkidesignweek.com
