Habitare 2024 programme to highlight the layered nature of design and homes

Over five days, the Habitare programme will offer topical discussions, speeches and workshops under the Layers theme of the event. The programme will explore, the new layers and perspectives introduced into Finnish design by encounters between cultures. The hosts on stages will be Jani Toivola, Eeva Kolu, and Ida and Isa Kukkapuro. The leading furniture, design and interior decoration event in the Nordics will be held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 11 to 15 September 2024.

The Habitare main stage will feature international keynote speeches and topical discussions for friends of design and interior decoration. The stage host, Jani Toivola, is a political influencer, actor and writer who loves design, fashion and dressing up. The stage will be furnished by Franckly and the adjacent Lounge by Furmus and Secto Design.

Picks from the programme on the main stage

• Keynote x Fredrik Paulsen: About life, craft and finding joy – Swedish designer Fredrik Paulsen, known among others for his collaboration with Vaarnii, talks about creating his own contexts in which to work, the importance of trusting your gut, and not taking yourself too seriously. / Wed 11 Sep at 11:00
• Keynote x Rikke Frost: Minimal – Magical – Mindful – Danish designer Rikke Frost creates long-lasting, sustainable solutions for clients worldwide. Her works reflect a commitment to relevance, function, and human-centred design, and cherish exceptional craftsmanship. / Wed 11 Sep at 14:00
• Keynote x Sanna Wåhlin, Interior Architect and partner, Note Design Studio: The Layers of Collaborative Design – Swedish Note Design Studio consists of many people, with a range of different competencies and know-how. They build their projects in layers, in which they all are creators and thinkers adding to these layers, from the overall concepts down to the smallest detail. / Thu 12 Sep at 11:00
• Keynote x Alex Mustonen, co-founder of Snarkitecture – Alex Mustonen, who has roots in Finland, is one of the two founders of the cult New York-based studio Snarkitecture, known for spatial design. Snarkitecture has designed a chair, launched in spring 2024, for the Halikko-based company Made by Choice. Called Lieksa (after the Finnish town), the chair honours Mustonen’s roots. / Fri 13 Sep at 11:00
• Palimpsest: Building new layers of culture and place in the Nordic region x Noaf Yaffe, partner, Steven Holl Architects –Steven Holl Architects has been working in Finland for over 25 years, since the opening of Kiasma in 1998. Noah Yaffe has led the realisation of three landmark projects in the Nordic region, including the residential building Meander by Steven Holl and Newil & Bau in Helsinki, opening in autumn 2024. He will speak about the influence of the region’s history and culture on SHA’s projects, as well as its impact on the studio’s growth and design approach. / Fri 13 Sep at 15:00
• Keynote x Margrethe Odgaard: Sensory Colour Compass – Colours are a powerful motivator, and the use of colours in architecture and design goes far beyond their decorative value. When we increase our understanding of the sensory effects of colours, we will simultaneously strengthen the ability to create relevant and stimulating environments. / Sat 14 Sep at noon
• The Art of Dreaming by Marie Olsson Nylander – The super-popular Swedish designer, Marie Olsson Nylander, known from the TV show Dream House in Sicily, shares a story about how it all began and the power of dreaming. / Sat 14 Sep at 14:00
• Straight talk about the housing market by Andrei Koivumäki – Finland’s most followed housing professional and the founder of the Neliöt Liikkuu LKV estate agency will discuss what is happening in the housing market right now. What factors affect the value of a home? When is it time to buy, renovate or sell? / Sun 15 Sep at noon

The Habitare stage will offer interesting speeches about antiques, art and vintage, as well as interior decoration. The stage host, Eeva Kolu, is a Helsinki-based writer and social media influencer who believes that everyday beauty and a cosy home promote well-being. She is especially inspired by combining the old and the new, and she relaxes by scouring flea markets and antique shops.

Picks from the programme on the Habitare stage

• The use of antiques in interior decoration – Presenting the best ideas illustrated by examples and exploring future trends, sustainability, stories, layers and artisanship. The panellists will be Heini Hirvonen of Riviera Vintage, Elina Siltanen-Sjöberg of the Sissarit association, and the upholsterer Oke Tolonen. / Fri 13 Sep at 11:00 and Sat 14 Sep at 15:00
• Art in the home – home as a curated collection and art museum –What is it like to live amidst art? And how does a home become a museum? A discussion about art-filled homes will explore the transformation of private spaces into public spaces. In interior decoration, a layered style produces uniquely personal and engaging spaces. The panellists will be Maria Didrichsen, director of the Didrichsen Art Museum, Sonja Linkoneva, exhibition manager, and Kaj Martin, head of collections at Amos Andersons Hem. The moderator will be Johanna Ruohonen, director of the Kirpilä Art Collection. / Fri 13 Sep at 15:00

The themed stage is a new addition at Habitare: an intimate discussion area housed within a gallery-like space with a themed exhibition will offer in-depth looks at topics of interest, reminiscences, visions, and statements in the spirit of the theme of Layers. The interviewers will be the journalists Ida and Isa Kukkapuro, who specialise in design.

The Generations series of discussions will focus on the continuity of design, as well as the intertwining of history and the present.

Picks from the programme on the themed stage

• Habitare x Helsinki Design Week: Collaborating Towards Success Stories in Finnish Design – Habitare’s creative lead Päivi Helander and Helsinki Design Week’s programme director Anni Korkman discuss the collaboration initiated in spring 2024 between Habitare and Helsinki Design Week. The aim is to strengthen the design industry, promote dialogue between designers and companies, and accelerate the growth and internationalization of industry players. / Wed 11 Sep at noon
• Generations: Isa and Ida Kukkapuro – The host duo of the themed stage, mother and daughter, in an interview with Habitare’s Päivi Helander. Together, they run their family business, Studio Kukkapuro, passing on the design legacy of the designer-artist couple Yrjö and Irmeli Kukkapuro. / Wed 11 Sep at 14:00
• Small-scale Residential Architecture and Green Building – Architects Martino de Rossi and Kiti Kuusiluoma from architecture firm Collaboratio discuss new trends in sustainable residential architecture and green building. / Fri 13 Sep at 13:00
• Generations: Annaleena and Jari Hakola – Hakola's creative director and third-generation entrepreneur Annaleena Hakola and her father, Hakola's senior advisor Jari Hakola, interviewed by Ida Kukkapuro. / Sat 14 Sep at noon
• Ceramic artist Karin Widnäs and sculptor, jewelry artist Björn Weckström interviewed by Isa Kukkapuro / Sun 15 September at 15:00

Habitare Pro Lounge will host workshops for professional visitors, with partners such as Framery, Hiil, Swatchbox, Restatop and Taiga Concept. On Thursday, the theme of the programme will be architecture, and on Friday, the focus will be on buyers. Registration is required for the workshops.

Picks from the Habitare Pro Lounge programme

• Waste not – Miikka Kotilainen, co-founder of Hiil, will present a session about charred wood as a natural, non-toxic product for the architectural industry. / Thu 12 Sep at 10:15
• YFD speed dating for designers and businesses – Young designers and businesses will meet each other at a fun and fast-paced event conceived by Young Finnish Design. The aim is to make it easier for designers in the early stages of their careers to connect with key business representatives. / Fri 13 Sep at noon
• How to stay up to date with spatial solutions amidst ever faster technological development – Head of design Pekka Eskelinen, one of the founders of Taiga Concept, will talk about the meeting spaces of the future and the flexible integration of technology. Founded in 2015, the Finnish company is a provider of timeless soundproof space solutions, operating around the world in the global marketplace.

At the workshops in the Habitare Handmade area, visitors can create their own art and crafts. The Choice area will offer a daily fragrance workshop organised by SEES, and a copper workshop by the Japanese company Communa Inc.

The Habitare Kids area will feature, for example, a colour class by Tikkurila, with non-stop workshops in which visitors create fun emojis using colour cards. In the Skidikoti workshop, organised by the Skidit collective, visitors decorate a miniature room. Visitors can craft furniture and plants for the room and decorate it in the most imaginative way.

More information:

Pia Sievinen, communication & brand, Habitare, puh. +358 40 559 9155, pia.sievinen@messukeskus.com

Accreditation: https://www.messukeskus.com/medialle/akkreditointi/

Habitare, the leading furniture, design and interiors event in the Nordics, will be held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 11 to 15 September 2024.| habitare.fi | | @habitarefair | #habitare2024