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Experience Aalto University at Helsinki Design Week

Aalto University is once again widely represented in Helsinki Design Week's official programme, all throughout the festival on 8 – 17 September 2023. Come and explore Aalto at HDW through exhibitions and events – see the listing to explore what, where and when!
Lypsy stools by Josh Krute.
Lypsy Stools by Josh Krute. Photo: Josh Krute

Helsinki Design Week, 8 – 17 September 2023

Helsinki Design Weekis the biggest design and architecture festival in the Nordics. Revolving around these themes, it provides a perfect platform to showcase the wide expertise, novel perspectives and bold ideas that stem from the Aalto community.

HDW's inspiring, extensive programme consists of exhibitions, fashion shows and hundreds of other events – see the listing below to explore how, where and when to spot Aalto University at HDW. Get ready to dive in!

Photo from the inside of Merikortteli building, Helsinki.
Photo: Helsinki Design Week

HDW's Main Venue: Merikortteli

13 – 17 Sept 2023
Merikortteli, Pursimiehenkatu 29, Helsinki

HDW’s Main Exhibition tackles changes in work and living spaces and takes over two floors at the main location, Merikortteli.

Sixth floor presents innovative material solutions, inspiring collaborations and more, displayed by dozens of exhibitors including Aalto-VTT Fold and Aalto WUUD.

First floor showcases multidisciplinary prototypes, installations and new ideas through exhibitions like:

  • ARTEFAKTI by Master's of Contemporary Design programme, Aalto University
  • PROtoPlay by creators including Josh Krute, Aalto University
  • HEHKU by the Interior Architecture Department, Aalto University
  • Fashion + Sensibility, where one of the works on display is Miun by Ilona Hyötyläinen, Aalto University

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Cover of the Living-with Feral Ecologies festival.
Photo: Living-with Feral Ecologies festival

Living-with Feral Ecologies

16 Sept 2023 at 11–23
Puutarhapiha at Lapinlahden Lähde, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki

Living-with Feral Ecologies is a one-day, more-than-human festival exploring feral ways of knowing, caring and relating. The festival offers a 12-hour long program of co-creative outdoor activities happening both during the day and at night, and it has been curated by Markéta Dolejšová and Gloria Lauterbach, Aalto University.

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Some kind of electronic helmet linked to another device.
Photo: Chien-Chi Kuo

Sound Experiences

8 – 17 Sept 2023
Musiikkimuseo Fame, Fredikanterassi 5 A, Helsinki

The pop-up exhibition brings in works that combine sound and design, from speakers to other innovative product concepts – all by Aalto University Design students, in collaboration with Genelec.

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Colourful graphics for Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 hero visual identity by Veera Kemppainen.
Graphic design: Veera Kemppainen

Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023: Invisible

6 Sept – 6 Oct 2023
Väre, Otaniementie 14, Espoo & Satellite locations

The collection of exhibitions and events that celebrate multidisciplinary collaboration, bold ideas and creative experiments. This year, the theme is Invisible. What don't we see even though we could – or should?

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Soft textile surface with varying colours on display in an exhibition
Work: Elina Defossez. Photo: Helmi Korhonen

DIALOGUES – An Ode to Textile Stories

8 Sept – 1 Oct 2023
Central Library Oodi, Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Helsinki

The exhibition explores textile narratives, artistic exploration, material solutions and design pedagogy across a multitude of textile works from Aalto University.

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Pamela Hakala @Liike temporary showroom

7 – 9 Sept 2023
Liike, Fredrikinkatu 24, Helsinki

During Helsinki Design Week Liike presents works from graduates from Aalto University Fashion. This year's designer is Pamela Hakala.

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Habitare

13 – 17 Sept 2023
Helsingin Messukeskus, Messuaukio 1, Helsinki

Habitare is the largest furniture, design and interior decoration event in Finland. It offers experiences and ideas on interior decoration, and on the functioning and look of homes and other spaces. The event highlights the ideas and works by a new generation of designers, and sparks discussion – and Aalto is participating in various ways.

Habitare's Protoshop 2023 exhibition promotes novel design, with numerous prototypes by the Aalto community:

  • Tex-lamps by Aalto alumni Yi-Chiao Tien and You-Chia Chen, Studio D-ja
  • +30 serial table by Shoko Bamba, master's student of Interior Architecture at Aalto
  • Seesaw wall lamp by industrial designer and Aalto alumni Simo Lahtinen
  • Series of bee hotels called Block by interior architect and designer Hanna Särökaari, also an Aalto alumni
  • Pompom chair by Eveliina Saarentaus, an interior architect student at Aalto

Habitare Design Competition2023 has been jointly organised by Habitare and Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, on the theme  “Tools for togetherness”. The winner will be announced on 13 September 2023 at 10:00–10:30 at Habitare, and the finalist designs will be on display throughout the event.

Josh Krute is exhibiting the series of Fantastic Lypsy Stools at6n81 at the Block in Habitare. The series is also part of Designs for a Cooler Planet festival.

You can also spot familiar names – from current Aaltonians to Aalto alumni such as Annaleena Hakola, Yrjö Kukkapuro and Mikko Laakkonen –among the exhibitors and the speakers of this year's Habitare.

Much to explore and enjoy, we'd say!

Students riding bikes in front of the Aalto University Väre building, photo by Unto Rautio

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

One of the most prestigious universities in its fields. We educate our students to create imaginative, collaborative, compassionate and unconventional approaches to the most pressing challenges of today.

Designs for a Cooler Planet

Designs for a Cooler Planet

A glimpse of hope for a better future. The annual Designs for a Cooler Planet festival showcases thought-provoking prototypes, experiments, and perspectives offering a glimpse of hope for a better future.

Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 main visual with Events title.

Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 – Events programme

Welcome and participate in Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 through a variety of different events, from live talk shows to webinars, workshops and guided exhibition tours.

Events
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