You may have travelled to Helsinki Design Week, or you may be there for a design pilgrimage. Now that you’re in Helsinki, what is there to do for a design lover?
Lots of design and history to uncover, you’d be surprised.
Helsinki, the southern city and capital of Finland, has been around since June 1550. That makes Helsinki a grand 472 years old now. With such a long and illustrious history, you bet you’ll find lots of interesting design elements and landmarks that will tell you tales of time of civilisations past.
Here, 11 of our favourite hangouts for architecture and design lovers.
Amos Rex Art Museum
Named after newspaper publisher Amos Anderson, this art museum – situated beneath a 1930’s “Glass Palace” office building and its square – features distinctive hill-like roofs.
On show until February 2023, The Quiet Parade exhibition by Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck presents an all-grey, mysterious landscape, as if covered by ash populated by sculptures portraying fictitious places, characters and objects.
Majamaja Eco-Cabins
These off-grid, minimalistic designer cabins by architect Pekka Littow, located only a 30-minute bike ride away from the city centre, demonstrate the benefits of small-scale architecture mixed with green technology such as solar power and a closed-loop water system.
Majamaja Helsinki Off-grid Retreat is located at Vuorilahdentie 5, 00870 Helsinki, Finland.
Design Museum
Housed in a Neo-Gothic building, the museum showcases everything you need to know about Finnish design. Here, we spotted the Baby Box, a maternity package that every expectant mother receives from the state.
The museum’s latest show, running until April 2023, reveals how the creations of interior designer Antti Nurmesniemi and his wife, textile artist Vuokko Nurmesniemi, shaped post-war Finland.
In addition to the 1964 Triennale in Milan, Artek exhibitions and some pieces of furniture, the Finnish duo’s 1975 studio-house in Helsinki was the most significant example of their joint work, showcasing an open plan with no load-bearing walls inside.
P.S: Not all Scandinavian designs are the same. Here’s more about Finnish design.
EMMA Museum
Located inside a 1960s brutalist building, EMMA’s exhibitions strike up a dialogue between modern and contemporary art and design.
Running until October 2024, the Form exhibition highlights the versatility of Tapio Wirkkala, a modern Finnish design artist who mastered many fields of applied and fine art using various materials and scales.
The Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) is the largest museum in Finland, and home to thematic exhibitions, as well as a deposit collection from the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation. It is 15 minutes from Helsinki.
EMMA Museum is located at Ahertajantie 5, 02070 Espoo, Finland.
Cafe Zoceria
Located in Tarvaspaa, Espoo (a 30-minute drive from Helsinki), this rustic cafe sits next to the home and studio of Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela.
It’s known for its creamy salmon soup and the picturesque views. It’s on the way to EMMA Museum, and is a must-visit!
Temppeliaukio Church
Also known as the Rock Church, Temppeliaukio is famed for its stunning and unique architecture. It was hewn out of a massive rock, and is bathed in natural sunlight and has great acoustics.
Temppeliaukio Church is located at Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, Finland.
Marimekko
It’s not difficult to find a Marimekko store in Helsinki, but one that’s definitely worth visiting is the Herttoniemi outlet. The printing factory has a discount section, and considers tour requests.
Marimekko outlet is located at Kirvesmiehenkatu 7, 00880 Helsinki, Finland.
Ritva Blomquist & Co
Just down the road from Lilla Roberts hotel, this vintage store is filled to the brim with unique tableware, lamps (we spotted a Louis Poulsen PH5) and knick-knacks.
Ritva Blomquist & Co is located at Pieni Roobertinkatu 5, 00130 Helsinki, Finland.
Iittala
The most popular glassware brand in Finland, Iittala has worked with legends like the Aaltos and Tapio Wirkkala. Its Esplanadi store also houses ceramic crockery by the equally iconic Arabia.
Artek
Don’t leave Finland without something from Artek, the furniture label by architect Alvar Aalto. Iconic designs include Stool 60 and 400 Tank armchair. There’s a secondcycle Artek store at Pieni Roobertinkatu, too.
Artek Helsinki is located at Kirvesmiehenkatu 7, 00880 Helsinki, Finland.
Lilla Roberts Hotel
This chic hotel is right smack in the middle of Helsinki’s Design District, which means antique shops, museums and galleries are just around the corner.
Lilla Roberts Hotel has been around since 1908, and was designed by the renowned architect Selim A. Lindqvist.
Lilla Roberts Hotel is located at Pieni Roobertinkatu 1, 00130 Helsinki, Finland.
Restaurant Lonna (Closed)
Open only from May to September, the industrial-style restaurant serves a modern take on traditional island cuisine, made with organic local produce. The 15-minute ferry trip to the island of Lonna is part of the experience!
Restaurant Lonna is located at Lonnan saari, 00190 Helsinki, Finland.
Tre (Closed)
As the flagship store for Finnish design, Tre is a must-visit if you’re looking for designed-in- Finland products, be it furniture or fashion. If you need a caffeine boost, the concept store carries a cafe, too.
Tre is located at Mikonkatu 6 00100 Helsinki Finland.