Helsinki expresses and celebrates its quirky spirit through design. Design is an essential cornerstone of the city, it is integral to the way the city behaves and functions, which can be felt and experienced as you spend time here.
Design touchpoints in Helsinki
Helsinki design gems on a map
- 1. Design MuseumThe Design Museum is an internationally recognized national specialist museum of Finnish design. The history of Finnish design is presented in the museums collection exhibition through living narratives, using today's technology and digital applications. The museum organizes eg. workshops and guided tours. There's also the Taito Cafe and the Design Shop museum shop. 2023: The Design Museum has free entry on the last Tuesday of every month all day, i.e. 11 am- 8 pm.Sustainable service2. Design District HelsinkiDesign District Helsinki brings together creative people in the heart of Helsinki. There are almost 160 members in the Design District area, offering eg. ceramics, jewellery, Finnish fashion as well as international brands, local goods, and sustainable lifestyle products. There are also art galleries with contemporary art, photography, installations or sculptures in the area, not to mention the prestigious museums, such as Design Museum and Taidehalli/Kunsthalle Helsinki. Find.designdistrict.fi is a new design guide to Helsinki Design District which will help you explore the design streets of Helsinki and to find a handful of curated fashion boutiques, art galleries, specialty shops and other hidden gems you might not have heard of before. Also, top quality restaurants, cafés and hotels you shouldn't miss. Design District Helsinki is an association founded in 2005 known as an advocate for city culture and specialty shops as well as an expert in the design field.3. Museum of Finnish ArchitectureThe Museum of Finnish Architecture offers rich new perspectives, discussion openers and meaningful experiences of architecture.
- 4. Artek HelsinkiArtek Helsinki offers a design experience in two stories. Artek's own collection of furniture, lighting and accessories can be discovered in its entirety. Highlights include product launches straight from the trade fairs, Artek Helsinki specials, which are only available at the store, as well as a workshop, where Alvar Aalto's Stool 60 can be customised on site by clients. Carefully selected products by like-minded companies, many of which are exclusively distributed by Artek in Finland, complete the offering.5. Lokal GalleryLokal Gallery specializes in showcasing unique and limited edition items by local artists, designers and artisans.6. MarimekkoMarimekko is a Finnish design company founded in 1951, renowned for its original prints and colours. The company's product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home décor items ranging from textiles to tableware.
- 7. Arabia Store EsplanadiBeloved patterns and classic shapes - Arabia concept store opened in Helsinki in 2017. Experience the Arabia feeling and find the complete product selection. For over 140 years, Arabia has held a strong position in Finnish homes, setting tables from generation to generation.8. Kämp GardenKämp Garden presents the most important names and emerging talent of Finnish fashion on the 2nd floor of the Kämp Galleria shopping mall. With an emphasis on accountability and community, Garden combines shops, events, workshops and showrooms. In Garden, you will find the following shops: Arela, éN Hats, Klaus Haapaniemi, Mannisto, Nomen Nescio, Paintings and Tauko. In addition to Finnish design, the 2nd floor Garden also offers the dining establishments Haiku and Waffdaddy, lifestyle shop My o My Home, as well as an expert in natural cosmetics, the beauty shop Jolie. There are also interesting pop-up stores and temporary exhibitions.Sustainable service9. Artek 2nd CycleArtek 2nd Cycle is Artek's platform for pre-loved furniture. In 2006, Artek began collecting used Aalto furniture, searching them out from flea markets and old factories, schools and shipyards. This led to the founding of the Artek 2nd Cycle initiative, which offers these re-discovered pieces for sale, beginning a second cycle in their lives.
- 10. Iittala & Arabia Design CentreIittala & Arabia Design Centre has brought together two design brands in the historic ARABIA135 block.11. Design Museum ArabiaThe Design Museum Arabia displays the products of the Arabia ceramics factory and the Iittala glassworks, now part of the Fiskars Group, from 1873 to the present day. Compiled from the collections of Design Museum, the exhibition gives the leading role to the history of ceramic and glass design in Finland. The museum is part of the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre. In the same building you'll also find a Iittala Shop as well as some other shops and a café.
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More design events in Helsinki
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In co-operation with Helsinki Design Weekly