September is all about design – even in Finland. From 12 to 17 September, the doors of the Messukeskus conference centre will be thrown open to host Habitare, the furniture event that tops the bill of Helsinki Design Week (which runs between 6 and 16 September). The theme of the 2018 edition is Roots, with the organisers hoping to showcase the authenticity and personality of objects.
As our world becomes more and more globalised, we are seeing a renewed appreciation for the origins of our cultures. The event is aiming to celebrate the importance of and pay tribute to these values by featuring designs that are – first and foremost – authentic and that favour creativity over order and obedience of rules. Habitare will offer a range of experiences and ideas around interior design, shining a light on works by the new generation of designers and generating talking points for industry pros and event visitors alike.
The design of the exhibition itself has been developed around the theme of Roots by Mattila & Merz. There are plenty of interesting and innovative spaces to discover: from the Habi Kids children area to Habitare Light, which focuses on the latest trends in lighting, and even a start-up section. On top of that, the Ethical area – designed by Tikau – will see companies showcase products created according to the principles of environmental sustainability.
The event’s special guest is Cara McCarty, the director of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, who will lead a talk and pick out her favourite designs from the show.
