Raw, Unique and Local: See What's Popular in Nordic Design
Houzz visited Helsinki Design Week in the Finnish capital for a peek into the present and future of Nordic design
Helle Sindal
24 September 2018
Every September, Helsinki Design Week fills the Finnish capital with exhibitions, pop-up events, markets and debates on design, fashion and urban culture. It aims to create a conversation around the trends dominating the current Nordic design agenda and to hint at what’s coming in future.
“Nordic design is not a desert island: We’re influenced by impressions from around the world, and vice versa,” founder and director Kari Korkman says. “Nevertheless, there are some clear features [that characterize Nordic design]. The connection to nature and the past plays a role even for the modern urban population. This is reflected in, among other things, quality craftsmanship and the use of natural materials. Nordic design represents some good basic values in a number of contexts, and there is extra demand for such values in the current time of uncertainty and conflict.”
“Nordic design is not a desert island: We’re influenced by impressions from around the world, and vice versa,” founder and director Kari Korkman says. “Nevertheless, there are some clear features [that characterize Nordic design]. The connection to nature and the past plays a role even for the modern urban population. This is reflected in, among other things, quality craftsmanship and the use of natural materials. Nordic design represents some good basic values in a number of contexts, and there is extra demand for such values in the current time of uncertainty and conflict.”
This year local design, unique collector’s items and a heavy emphasis on sustainability dominated alongside these Nordic mainstays. Of course, Houzz was on the scene to scout out the most interesting and innovative ideas at this year’s fair. Here are some of the highlights.
Local design
Unique, handmade and locally produced items are highly sought-after in Finnish design, according to Minni Soverila, executive director of the Helsinki Design District. Now that you can buy design from around the globe with just a few clicks, it feels special to have something a local craftsman has made in his or her workshop around the corner.
Lokal is one gallery and store located in the Design District, a cluster of over 200 designers and design stores in the Finnish capital that plays a central role in Design Week activities. The shop’s name really says it all: Lokal offers furniture and handicrafts by both up-and-coming and renowned Finnish designers.
Unique, handmade and locally produced items are highly sought-after in Finnish design, according to Minni Soverila, executive director of the Helsinki Design District. Now that you can buy design from around the globe with just a few clicks, it feels special to have something a local craftsman has made in his or her workshop around the corner.
Lokal is one gallery and store located in the Design District, a cluster of over 200 designers and design stores in the Finnish capital that plays a central role in Design Week activities. The shop’s name really says it all: Lokal offers furniture and handicrafts by both up-and-coming and renowned Finnish designers.
Handcrafted items
An annual highlight of Helsinki Design Week is Design Forum Finland‘s presentation of the award for best young designer of the year. This time they honoured 26-year-old master carpenter Antrei Hartikainen, whose airy Bastone cabinet is made up of wood strips that leave its contents both concealed and visible at once.
“Antrei is an impressively skilled and patient craftsman with a great knowledge of wood,” says project manager Laila Alanen of Design Forum Finland. “His design leans toward the artistic and has roots in the traditions of Finland, Japan and Mexico.”
An annual highlight of Helsinki Design Week is Design Forum Finland‘s presentation of the award for best young designer of the year. This time they honoured 26-year-old master carpenter Antrei Hartikainen, whose airy Bastone cabinet is made up of wood strips that leave its contents both concealed and visible at once.
“Antrei is an impressively skilled and patient craftsman with a great knowledge of wood,” says project manager Laila Alanen of Design Forum Finland. “His design leans toward the artistic and has roots in the traditions of Finland, Japan and Mexico.”
Raw is hot
Raw wood is neither polished nor lacquered, so there is good reason to watch your nylon stockings if you take a seat on one of the pieces of raw-wood furniture that jump out at you in design stores in the Finnish capital. Raw and heavy wood is popular, as are good-quality light and airy wooden pieces, while anything in between gets relegated to the back bench. Muubs’ Dakota chair in teak is pictured here, from the display at the MIA Design shop in Design District Helsinki.
Raw wood is neither polished nor lacquered, so there is good reason to watch your nylon stockings if you take a seat on one of the pieces of raw-wood furniture that jump out at you in design stores in the Finnish capital. Raw and heavy wood is popular, as are good-quality light and airy wooden pieces, while anything in between gets relegated to the back bench. Muubs’ Dakota chair in teak is pictured here, from the display at the MIA Design shop in Design District Helsinki.
Modest and imperfect
Wood from a Finnish forest met Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics at Helsinki Design Week’s Raw / Rawka exhibition.
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of the imperfect, humble, temporary and authentic. Natural materials like raw wood provide the ideally imperfect surface, offering variations in shape, colour and texture. The emphasis on imperfection also means pieces can continue to be used once they’ve accumulated scratches or developed a patina – when they might otherwise have been thrown out.
Side table: by Studio Ville Auvinen, exhibeted at “Raw / Rawka”
Wood from a Finnish forest met Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics at Helsinki Design Week’s Raw / Rawka exhibition.
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of the imperfect, humble, temporary and authentic. Natural materials like raw wood provide the ideally imperfect surface, offering variations in shape, colour and texture. The emphasis on imperfection also means pieces can continue to be used once they’ve accumulated scratches or developed a patina – when they might otherwise have been thrown out.
Side table: by Studio Ville Auvinen, exhibeted at “Raw / Rawka”
The exhibition features the work of a dozen designers and architects. Designer Tuula Pöyhönen, who created a series of shoes made of wood, leather and tape (pictured), points out that in this exhibition the materials and craftsmanship speak for themselves.
Flat-packed furniture
We are all familiar with Ikea’s self-assembly furniture. For a few of the furniture designers who exhibited at Helsinki Design Week, however, flat-packed furniture is not just about saving space in transport and storage, but is also about sustainability and flexibility.
These pieces are designed to be assembled without Allen wrenches, nails or screws. They are also easy to take apart again, so broken components can be repaired or replaced individually. Some designers have drawn attention to this with coloured straps, as in the Combine stool pictured here, from the joint exhibition by designers Antti Tuomi and Sakari Hartikainen in the Casuarina furniture store.
We are all familiar with Ikea’s self-assembly furniture. For a few of the furniture designers who exhibited at Helsinki Design Week, however, flat-packed furniture is not just about saving space in transport and storage, but is also about sustainability and flexibility.
These pieces are designed to be assembled without Allen wrenches, nails or screws. They are also easy to take apart again, so broken components can be repaired or replaced individually. Some designers have drawn attention to this with coloured straps, as in the Combine stool pictured here, from the joint exhibition by designers Antti Tuomi and Sakari Hartikainen in the Casuarina furniture store.
Others have chosen more discrete assembly solutions, as in this table by Fészek Részek. It was part of a sustainability-focused exhibition by Hungarian designers.
Rugs as wall decor
Rugs in natural and recycled materials were not a rare sight at this year’s design week. But don’t expect to feel their soft and inviting textures under your feet: These rugs were hung on walls as decorative elements. The wool blanket pictured here is made of a manufacturer’s surplus material. It is another example of Hungarian sustainable design.
Rugs in natural and recycled materials were not a rare sight at this year’s design week. But don’t expect to feel their soft and inviting textures under your feet: These rugs were hung on walls as decorative elements. The wool blanket pictured here is made of a manufacturer’s surplus material. It is another example of Hungarian sustainable design.
A touch of humour
Cute figurines and design with a hint of humour and play are not uncommon in the homeland of the Moomin. These pieces, on display at Lokal, are by Helsinki-based Japanese artist Yasushi Koyama.
Cute figurines and design with a hint of humour and play are not uncommon in the homeland of the Moomin. These pieces, on display at Lokal, are by Helsinki-based Japanese artist Yasushi Koyama.
“Do you want art with that?” asks a new app
Design Week also showcased new ways to buy art and design. For two weeks, 60 local designers have been selected to sell a total of 600 pieces of art and design through food delivery app Wolt. Through Design Delivered, locals can have decor brought to their doors just as easily as take-out.
The project is a collaboration between Wolt and design and innovation company Kallan & Co., among others. Martin Mohr, Kallan’s head of innovation and one of the project’s creators, plans to expand the initiative to design fairs in other countries, so keep an eye out: There might just be a design special on the menu in your city.
Design Week also showcased new ways to buy art and design. For two weeks, 60 local designers have been selected to sell a total of 600 pieces of art and design through food delivery app Wolt. Through Design Delivered, locals can have decor brought to their doors just as easily as take-out.
The project is a collaboration between Wolt and design and innovation company Kallan & Co., among others. Martin Mohr, Kallan’s head of innovation and one of the project’s creators, plans to expand the initiative to design fairs in other countries, so keep an eye out: There might just be a design special on the menu in your city.
Stores as design universes
This mixture of high art and accessibility, convenience and long-lasting, quality design was also visible in brick and mortar at the World of TRE design store, which features both a design superstore and an exclusive showroom. The former offers a wide range of Finnish designs for everyday objects from tea towels and place mats to furniture and lamps, as well as clothes, jewelry and cosmetics.
This mixture of high art and accessibility, convenience and long-lasting, quality design was also visible in brick and mortar at the World of TRE design store, which features both a design superstore and an exclusive showroom. The former offers a wide range of Finnish designs for everyday objects from tea towels and place mats to furniture and lamps, as well as clothes, jewelry and cosmetics.
On the other hand, those looking for unique works of art or pricier handpicked designs can arrange a visit to the TRE Salon, which is housed in an original Art Nouveau apartment. “In the showroom, we cultivate design focused on luxury, personality and pleasure. In my view, luxury design is highly sustainable, providing durable things that you can enjoy and use for a long time,” TRE director Tanja Sipilä says.
Together, the two are emblematic of a broader tendency: Design shops are increasingly moving away from a simple shop format and turning into entire design universes. TRE is one of the first stores to embody this concept in Helsinki.
Together, the two are emblematic of a broader tendency: Design shops are increasingly moving away from a simple shop format and turning into entire design universes. TRE is one of the first stores to embody this concept in Helsinki.
Design as collector’s pieces
Vases reissued in trendy new colours and special, limited-edition versions of well-known classics were just some of the temptations for collectors who just have to have the season’s new colour or a model that’s bigger than their neighbour’s. Pictured is an extra-tall version of the classic Finnish Aalto vase, seen at Iittala.
Vases reissued in trendy new colours and special, limited-edition versions of well-known classics were just some of the temptations for collectors who just have to have the season’s new colour or a model that’s bigger than their neighbour’s. Pictured is an extra-tall version of the classic Finnish Aalto vase, seen at Iittala.
Multifunctional decor
Aino Aalto’s classic Riihitie pottery set, featured at Artek, works as a planter, serving dish, storage bowl and much more – the more functions, the better.
Whether you live in a compact space or just prefer a minimalist lifestyle, there are clear advantages to multifunctional, multipurpose designs. Several of the experts Houzz met in Helsinki emphasised that there is no longer a need for huge dish sets in all sizes and for all purposes.
Aino Aalto’s classic Riihitie pottery set, featured at Artek, works as a planter, serving dish, storage bowl and much more – the more functions, the better.
Whether you live in a compact space or just prefer a minimalist lifestyle, there are clear advantages to multifunctional, multipurpose designs. Several of the experts Houzz met in Helsinki emphasised that there is no longer a need for huge dish sets in all sizes and for all purposes.
Have a seat on a piece of art
Artek 2nd Cycle is an initiative to give the company’s iconic furniture a second life. Popular among these are Aalto’s famous stool, which also appears as a bedside table and side table in many homes. At Design Week, street artist Ines Sederholm left her mark on a series of these design icons.
Artek 2nd Cycle is an initiative to give the company’s iconic furniture a second life. Popular among these are Aalto’s famous stool, which also appears as a bedside table and side table in many homes. At Design Week, street artist Ines Sederholm left her mark on a series of these design icons.
Speaking of recycling …
So what happens now that Helsinki Design Week has ended, and its many exhibits are being taken down? Designer Jonatan Varon has a great idea: He designs lamps using parts of discarded exhibition stands, among other things, like in the lamp pictured here. It was part of the Design Week exhibition Rubbish Philosophy.
So what happens now that Helsinki Design Week has ended, and its many exhibits are being taken down? Designer Jonatan Varon has a great idea: He designs lamps using parts of discarded exhibition stands, among other things, like in the lamp pictured here. It was part of the Design Week exhibition Rubbish Philosophy.
Related Stories
For Pros
Maison & Objet: The Big Trends From Paris This Year
By Claire Tardy
The latest edition of the iconic fair draws the lines of the new normal in homes and decor after Covid-19
Full Story
For Pros
8 Design Trends From 2021's Iconic New Supersalone
Salone del Mobile is back! We discuss the fair's new look and the biggest design trends showcased in Milan this year
Full Story
Trend Reports
9 Future Trends Changing How We'll Live at Home
The pandemic has meant many of us now see our homes differently, so which shifts in lifestyle are likely to stick?
Full Story
Trend Reports
10 Global Interiors Trends That Reflect Our New Way of Living
From soundproof desks to privacy screens, European brands are designing products that reflect a major lifestyle shift
Full Story
For Pros
The 5 Biggest Trends at 2020’s Global Design Events
The pandemic has had an undeniable impact on design, but how has the conversation really changed this year?
Full Story
Colour
How to Use Pantone’s Uplifting Colour of the Year 2021
By Jennifer Ott
Hello, yellow! Good day, grey! See how to use the two colours predicted to be both hot and cool in the coming year
Full Story
Materials
Engineered Surfaces: Why They're the Material of the Moment
Dark and light hues, sophisticated veining patterns and textured finishes stood out at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
Full Story
For Pros
5 Trends for the 2020s Revealed by 6 Danish Design Experts
What trends will dominate the 2020s? Here are five visionary suggestions from six Danish trend forecasters
Full Story
For Pros
KBIS 2020: The Latest US Trends in Bathroom Fittings and Fixtures
Mix-and-match finishes and essential oil-infused showers were two standouts at the USA 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
Full Story
For Pros
8 US Kitchen and Bathroom Trends You Need to Know About
By Erin Carlyle
Dark colours, transitional style and personalisation were featured at the US kitchen and bath industries’ biggest event
Full Story
Thank you for this article...
Rubbish Philosophy? Absolutely. Yes!