Habitare, the Helsinki design fair, is back September 11-15, 2024, in Helsinki. With over 50 years of history, Habitare brings together the best of Finnish and international interior decoration, furniture design and living, each year. While the first edition opened on 17 April 1970 in the Exhibition Hall in the Töölö district, today Habitare Helsinki takes place at the Messukeskus Exhibition Centre, also in Helsinki, but in September. The first edition hosted almost 300 exhibitors from the living, leisure and tourism sectors, including Paulig, Marimekko and Stockmann, to name but a few.
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Habitare: a design destination in Helsinki
Over the years, Habitare Helsinki has become increasingly important due to its many activities. First of all, it is a favored venue for the launch of new products, both Finnish and international. Furthermore, during the four days of the fair, many talks are held with designers and industry experts. From the very beginning, the event has had a prominent position in the Finnish design field. In fact, the first edition took place on the initiative of the Finnish Fair Foundation, with the cooperation of the National Housing Board, Avotakka magazine, the Finnish Association of Architects and Ornamo Art and Design Finland.
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The Focus Areas at Habitare Helsinki
Habitare 2024 features different focus areas. Habitare Materials focuses on materials, which have become increasingly important at design fairs. This is an interactive library where you can try different combinations of materials for your projects. The project is by the architecture studio NEMO. The Choice area, returning for the second time, showcases solutions for a more sustainable future, in an exhibition by Susanna Vento. The exhibition Neighbours deals with the different ways of living today, how different lifestyles are reflected in homes, and how the concept of ownership is changing.
The Neighbours partners set up their stands in the residential block, The Block. The Block area also features a communal courtyard, which houses communal spaces for residents at the other end. The courtyard area also serves as one of the Habitare trade fair’s mini arenas.
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The new Handmade area, which makes its debut at Habitare this autumn, is the area for Finnish handicrafts. Habitare Handmade offers an overview of Finnish handicraft products and a diverse range of materials. The area is realized in cooperation with designer and entrepreneur Susanne Hamari; XAMK Restaurointi is the official educational partner of the Handmade area.
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The Talents
The Talents area allows four designers or design teams to exhibit their work. Early in their careers, the four designers already carry a highly recognizable identity, even if they have yet to be well known to the general public.
Finally, Habitare Kids is the area that encourages children and young people to learn about design and engage in hands-on activities.
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Habitare Pro
Habitare Helsinki’s advanced B2B platform is Habitare Pro. This is a unique platform for meeting and networking. Furthermore, it’s the right place for promoting business relations, and presenting new products to a targeted audience. This is where all architecture and design professionals, developers, buyers, specifiers and press meet.
Following the success of 2023, the trade area of the fair this year expands itself. Habitare Pro includes a central bar, a meeting room, and a networking area, which hosts the Pro networking party.
Admission to Habitare Pro for design professionals and students is free of charge, subject to registration.
Why visit
Habitare in Helsinki is the ideal destination to discover trends in Finnish and international design. A rich exhibition program and program of talks and meetings allow visitors to discover new products, materials and objects for furnishing and decorating the home. The fair was founded in 1970 and has since established itself as one of Northern Europe’s most influential design events. From 2024, Habitare will be one of the three main events of Helsinki Design Week, making it even more essential and popular.
Thanks to the product sectors – furniture, materials, decoration – and the section dedicated to professionals, Habitare Pro, Habitare is the destination for design in Helsinki.
Habitare, September 11-15, 2024
For professionals and general public
Size: 417 brands, 41,000 visitors
Messesukeskus, Helsinki
Visit Habitare.Messukeskus.com for info