Habitare programme to bring international discussion on the significance of design to Helsinki in September – including contributors from Kvadrat and Polestar
The programme at Habitare, Finland’s leading furniture, design and interior design event, will feature topical discussions on the significance of design in a rapidly changing world. Contributors at the increasingly international event will include design professionals from leading and emerging companies, such as Kvadrat and Polestar. Topics to be discussed include responsible design and the materials of the future. Habitare will be held at Messukeskus in Helsinki from 13 to 17 September 2023.
The Habitare 2023 theme, Together, highlights the importance of togetherness in the midst of uncertainty and challenging times. The event will reflect on our changing world and the contrasts of our time, and how, together, we must find new perspectives on consumption and living.
The questions raised by the theme are also reflected in the Habitare programme. Over five days, the Arena stage will host topical discussions, bringing together representatives of leading and emerging design companies and prominent international media, as well as industry professionals, from designers to architects.
“The Habitare programme will offer a topical and multifaceted overview of what is happening in the design industry right now, and what will happen next. This will be a rare opportunity to hear from and meet industry professionals and business representatives from around the world. We recommend that you explore the programme in advance and reserve time to take in interesting presentations and discussions”, says the creative director of Habitare, Laura Sarvilinna.
On the opening day, 13 September, at 15:00, there will be a keynote speech by the 2023 International Friend of Habitare Anders Byriel, CEO of Kvadrat, which is one of the most renowned textile companies in the world. Founded in 1968, the Danish company pushes the boundaries of textile design and general design thinking through its material innovations, use of colours, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Under the leadership of Byriel, who took over the helm of the family business in 1998, Kvadrat’s revenue has grown from $16 million to $258 million.
One of the highlights of the first day of Habitare, at 11:00, is an interview with Joanna Laajisto, who is one of Finland’s best-known interior designers. Recent projects by Studio Joanna Laajisto, the company behind the Habitare 2023 exhibition design, include Café Savoy, the Finnish Design Shop’s head office and showroom, Runo Hotel Porvoo, and the DTM restaurant, to open before the summer.
In the panel discussion How to communicate with the aid of design?, to be held at noon on the opening day, the Kyrö Distillery brand development manager, Matti Kovanen, and the CEO of the new-generation design company Made by Choice, Niclas Ahlström, will discuss design as a key resource for business.
The discussion How will material shape the future?, provided by Polestar and to be held at 14:00, will explore the materials of the future with. Polestar is the main partner of Habitare Pro. In the interview Creating Connection, to be held at 16:00, industrial designer Tej Chauhan will tell how design can at its best evoke feelings of joy and well-being in the user.
Responsible design and the circular economy are featured in the Habitare programme, as well. The curator of Habitare’s new Choice area, the interior stylist Susanna Vento, will, at 13:00 on Thursday, moderate a discussion on solutions for a more responsible way of life. On Saturday at 13:00, a discussion moderated by the influencer Noora Shingler will focus on Finnish wool. The topics of the discussions, which are related to Habitarematerials, include the environmental impact of materials, material development, and sustainable material choices for the home.
On Friday and Saturday at noon, Anna Pirkola and Kirsikka Simberg, of Studio Plenty, will elaborate on the Habitare theme of Together and the thinking behind the themed exhibition that will be featured at the event for the first time.
In addition to the discussions reflecting current phenomena, the Habitare programme will feature more demonstrations and content to inspire people to do things themselves. On Friday at 13:00, the entrepreneur and real estate investor Nata Salmela will discuss her experiences under the title Kahden viikon remppa (‘Two-week renovation’). From Friday to Sunday at 14:30, visitors will be able to try their hand at wallpapering at the Pihlgren and Ritola wallpapering demonstrations.
On Friday, there will be a shopping night crowned by Darude performing at Genelec Lounge at 18:00.
More information:
Laura Sarvilinna, creative director, Habitare, laura.sarvilinna@messukeskus.com
Pia Sievinen, communications specialist, Messukeskus, pia.sievinen@messukeskus.com
Habitare, the largest furniture, design and interior decoration event in Finland, will be held at Messukeskus in Helsinki, from 13 to 17 September 2023. Habitare offers experiences and ideas on interior decoration, and on the functioning and look of homes and other spaces. Habitare highlights the ideas and works by a new generation of designers, and sparks discussion. | www.habitare.fi | @habitarefair | facebook.com/habitare | #habitare2023
