When it comes to Nordic design destinations, many may think of Stockholm or Copenhagen—but you’d be remiss to overlook Helsinki. The Finnish city made waves in 2012 when it was crowned a World Design Capital for its use of design to drive cultural and economic growth—and over the past 10 years, its creative scene has only picked up steam. The city sprang to life this month as Helsinki Design Week kicked off, the Habitare trade show opened its doors for the first time in two years, and scores of showrooms and venues launched exhibitions and events.
Whereas the Nordic nations are often associated with functionalist, wood-forward furniture and minimalist—dare we say “blandinavian”—interiors, it’s clear that designers in Finland aren’t afraid to push the envelope with splashy color, fresh forms, and new approaches and materials geared toward social and environmental sustainability. Read on for a few of our favorite finds from Helsinki Design Week 2022.
