Helsinki Design Week 2017 programme out now

Helsinki Design Week spreads around the city and features more than 250 events between 7 and 17 September 2017. The complete programme has now been published!

Helsinki Design Week spreads around the city and features more than 250 events between 7 and 17 September 2017. The complete programme has now been published!

Organized for the 13th time, the largest design festival in the Nordic countries brings more than 250 events targeted at design enthusiasts and professionals to Helsinki from 7 to 17 September.

Following this year’s theme ‘Q&A’, we’ll experience various installations, tram discussions and an international design seminar, DesignCommons.

See the full programme!

International design stars

Helsinki Design Week 2017 is to launch the DesignCommons seminar that allows the audience to have dinner and discuss with international design stars. The first published speakers include iconic architect Winy Maas, technology entrepreneur with a Nokia background Marko Ahtisaari, landscape architect Cees van der Veeken and Studio Swine consisting of architect Azusa Murakami and British artist Alexander Groves. The event is curated in collaboration with Design Indaba.

The seminar is part of the two-day World Design Weeks Summit that Helsinki is hosting for design leaders from all over the world. Helsinki Design Week’s director Kari Korkman has been chosen to preside the network until 2020.

The Growroom is demonstrates the future possibilities of city farming and will be seen at Helsinki Design Week 2017. © RASMUS HJORTSHOJ
The Growroom is demonstrates the future possibilities of city farming and will be seen at Helsinki Design Week 2017. © RASMUS HJORTSHOJ

Installations and tram rides

The HDW HOP installations that proved so popular last year are making a return and bringing six new items to the Helsinki city centre. The installation series consists of works by Finnish and international designers and architects and focuses on the theme of a developing city. The Three Smiths statue that was covered by a giant bubble last year will be joined by a tiny parking-slot-size apartment house that takes a stand on tight urban architecture and building solutions for disaster areas. A Danish greenroom is to rise on the Keskuskatu street, and an old manege (Kaartin maneesi) will function as the background for versatile design-themed programme. The opening of the installations will be celebrated by a citizens’ parade on 7 September.

Online medium Helsinki Design Weekly becomes part of the festival through Q&A-themed discussions on the tram. A tram dedicated by HST to culture will transform into an after-work design ride that tours the districts of Helsinki. Each ride has its own theme, including the future of cities, sustainable development and creative fields’ cooperation.

This year, Helsinki Design Week announces one the largest design awards in Finland. The Home Revisited design competition was organized to celebrate Asko Foundation’s 50th anniversary, focusing on the home of the future and its changing needs. Announced on 7 September, the winner will receive a prize of 30,000 euros. All ten finalists of this international competition will be presented at the Home Revisited exhibition.

For the first time, we’ll also see Data-Driven Design Day as part of the programme, presenting how to utilize computer data in design.

Familiar favourites

At HDW 2017, we’ll meet some popular favourites from previous years, including the largest stock sale in the Nordics, Design Market, HDW Kids’ Weekend, an event for the whole family, a startling keynote event i.e. the PechaKucha Night, Open Studios presenting creative work spaces, and last year’s highly popular Design Diplomacy that will again open the doors of ambassadors’ residencies in Helsinki. As part of the Habitare trade fair, we’ll offer a Showroom event for professionals and a Habi Kids area for children.

In addition, the programme features more than 150 events by independent organizers, filling the streets, galleries, stores and museums with architecture, fashion and urban design. We’ll be hearing discussions, seeing fashion shows, witnessing launches and enjoying parties. In 2016, the festival gathered more than 158,000 visitors.

Design and consultancy company Ramboll and hotel chain Clarion are the main partners of Helsinki Design Week in 2017. Vuoden kampanjailmeen on suunnitellut GRMMXI.

See the full programme!