For five days this fall, starting September 11 through September 15, the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre will be the hosting space for the most anticipated design event in the Nordics, Habitare 2024. Layers were chosen as this year’s theme, highlighting their importance in creating comfort and style at home.
“Comfortable homes and spaces emerge when time or people or different styles allow them to form layers. A good mood or feeling in a space often comes from the fact that there are various layers. Layers and layeredness can mean different styles or periods, or they can be the sum of coincidences.”
– Creative Lead at Habitare, Päivi Helander
For organizers of Habitare layers are not only elements of design. They represent the narratives of life, where the new replaces the old while reinterpreting its elements. Layers represent the idea that to achieve astonishing design one must learn to combine different layers.
The execution of this year’s theme will be created by the cosmopolitan design studio Yatofu. The exhibition will reflect on the cyclicity of design by demonstrating layered textured spaces, objects, and homes.
Habitare will also feature a new Habitare Neighbours theme area. Designed and curated by Ulla Koskinen and Anna Pirkola, the Neighbours area will include an exhibition and a residential block. Here visitors will be able to venture out into the world of home decor and everyday living.
“Habitare Neighbours outlines the home as a safe base that feels your own, enabling smooth and pleasant everyday living. It outlines the home as a framework for people’s lives and the neighbourhood’s common area as something that nicely complements and supports everyday life and provides security.”
– Ulla Koskinen and Anna Pirkola , THE Habitare Neighbours area
The Neighbours exhibition will be a continuation of the main theme of this year, Layers, while also covering contemporary home design and materials. The discussions that will be taking place are diverse in their context—from discussing how age and social standing are reflected in our homes to whether private ownership is more beneficial than shared ownership.
The partners of Habitare Neighbours will be presented at individual stands in the residential block. The area features a common yard, at the other end of which there are common spaces for the residents. The yard area between the buildings has a large table for gatherings.
Habitare Pro will be an additional platform presented at the event. It is the trade show division curated for professionals and design enthusiasts alike as part of the fair. It is an opportunity for B2B companies and industry experts to network, and attend workshops and Professional Focus Days. This is the new development that Habitare Pro will offer on September 12—Architecture Focus Day; and September 13—Buyer Focus Day. These Focus Days will include Pro Design Talks on the main stage and hands-on workshops in the Pro Lounge.
”Last year was a great success for Habitare Pro following a new initiative and direction. So much so, that we had over 100% increase in the number of professional visitors. We will continue to build on this success by showcasing further great brands and an engaging program to bring you the top professionals in the design industry.”
– Hanna Laikola, Creative Brand Manager of Habitare Pro
Finally, Habitare Protos 2024 will present young designers and their products. Here are the new names you have a chance to get to know at this year’s fair: Aini Alastalo, Hanna-Kaarina Heikkilä and Hanna Säll, Laura Johansson, Hanna Klie, Shunsuke Koya, Anusuya Krishnaswamy, Atso Kurri, Reeta Laine, Fanni Laukkanen, Anni Pitkäjärvi, and Sanni Rajapolvi.
Habitare Proto will be located in the Block area with items selected by the jury. This allows young designers to engage potential manufacturers and buyers with their product ideas. Likewise, for the manufacturers, it is a chance to discover new designers with their fresh ideas.
“The designers selected for Habitare Protos share an interest in materials and their processing through the creative process, allowing the material to guide towards the end result. They aim to design objects that become important and meaningful to their users, thereby addressing the challenges of sustainable development.”
– the exhibition curators Elina Aalto and Saara Renvall of Imu Design
