Habitare 2026 tips for architecture enthusiasts

Habitare features engaging discussions and interesting programme. Friday 4 September architecture takes the centre stage, when Habitare Pro celebrates Architecture Focus Day. You can find the day's programme, curated by Archinfo, here. 

Below we’ve gathered programme picks for architecture enthusiasts throughout the five-day event. 

This year’s theme, Plot Twists, draws inspiration from embracing life and the unpredictability of time. More information about the theme can be found on the Habitare website.

Wednesday 2 September

Spatial design in the sustainability transition: future prospects and opportunities for the industry

12:00–12:45
Main stage
Sisustusarkkitehdit SIO ry

The event explores what the sustainability transition really means and what opportunities it creates in spatial design. The industry is not changing because of new ideas. It is changing because established ways of working are problematic from the perspective of our future, nature and the economy. The growing reuse of existing resources is one of the forces transforming the industry, reshaping the familiar ways in which we design and build.

The event will be held in Finnish. 

Keynote: Kallesø Architects

14:00–14:45
Main stage
Kallesø Architects

In this keynote, Kallesø Architects will share how architecture, travel, and family life continuously shape their way of working and thinking about space. Starting from their fascination with Alvar and Aino Aalto, Martin and Pii Kallesøn will reflect on a journey through Finland last year, where they visited several of the Aaltos' buildings and landscapes together with their children. Kallesø Architects want to explore how architecture can be experienced not only as objects, but as atmosphere, movement, light, materiality, and everyday life.

Architect Takkunen in conversation with Eeva Kolu

15:00–15:30
Main stage
Arkkitehti Takkunen

The Neighbours themed exhibition brings together contemporary design and materials with themes related to living, interiors and construction. The exhibition has been created by Oulu-based architecture practice Takkunen, known for its timeless Nordic timber architecture, with a strong emphasis on working with nature, clear forms and practical spatial solutions. Eeva Kolu interviews Tapani and Eeva Takkunen about the ideas and creative twists behind the Neighbours exhibition.

The event will be held in Finnish. 

Thursday 3 September

Design District Talks: Plot Twists in Urban Culture: Queer Urbanism – Is This Space for You?

13:00–13:30
Main stage
Design District Helsinki

A discussion on the queer perspective on the city, space and the experience of belonging. Is our place in the city predetermined, or do we all have to search for, negotiate and sometimes even claim our own space? What kinds of spaces and experiences do we need to help more people feel that the city is truly theirs?

The discussion will be moderated by Anna Tiula, a member of the Design District Helsinki board and founder of Helsinki Interiors. Her guests will be announced closer to the event.

The event will be held in Finnish. 

Friday 4 September

The New Architecture of Circular Economy

10:15–11:00
Habitare Pro Workshop
Ark magazine

Circular economy thinking is inevitably changing practices in the construction industry, but does it also bring with it a new kind of aesthetics? In a panel discussion led by editor-in-chief Kristo Vesikansa of Ark magazine, the participants reflect on whether this paradigm shift should be visible in architectural expression, and what kind of architecture emerges from recycled materials, the transformation of existing buildings, and the design of new structures that can be easily dismantled and reassembled.

The event will be held in Finnish. 

Keynote: Lev Bratishenko – What can you do with the Venice Biennale?

Fri 4 Sep at 11:00–11:45
Main stage
Archinfo

The history of the Biennale isn’t told by its curatorial choices or declarations of intent. More important are arguments and ideologies, historical, political, and economic circumstances, and lots of accidents. The most intriguing pavilion projects take Venice as a problematic opportunity.

Lev Bratishenko works at The Cosmic House in London as Twister of Meaning. Among the formats he's created is the Come and Forget series, which proposes benevolent acts of collective forgetting. Bratishenko was also the first Curator Public at the Canadian Centre for Architecture from 2016 to 2023. 

Aalto Works – Finnish modern architecture as World Heritage

Fri 4 Sep at 12:00–12:45
Main stage
Archinfo

Hosted by Tommi Lindh, CEO of the Alvar Aalto Foundation,the event will introduce Aalto Works, the recent inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and discuss its international significance. Representatives of the sites included in the series of the thirteen Aalto sites forming Aalto Works will tell about cooperation, tourism, preservation, and topical issues concerning the Aalto legacy in Finland.

The event will be held in Finnish.

Architect Spotlight

13:00–13:45
Habitare Pro Workshop
Archinfo

Meet inspiring architecture studios and professionals through a series of short pitches. In this fast-paced session, architects present their expertise and perspectives—what makes their work relevant right now? The event offers inspiring encounters and opens up new opportunities for collaboration within the field.

Register

Creative Pitch: Brands Meet Architects

14:00–14:45
Habitare Pro Workshop
Archinfo

8 top design companies will pitch their products, materials and concepts in sharp, 3-minute presentations tailored for architects. Fast-paced, inspiring, and packed with ideas you can take straight into your projects. 

Register

Discussion: Finland at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2027

15:00–15:45
Main stage
Archinfo

The Biennale Architettura in Venice is the world's most prestigious arena for the presentation of architecture and a forum for contemporary architectural discussion. In 2027, at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition, the Finnish Pavilion will be curated by architect, curator Kaisa Karvinen. 

In discussion, we will hear ideas about the starting points of the upcoming biennial exhibition. Discussing with Karvinen will be the exhibition's content partner who will be announced at the end of August. The discussion is moderated by curator, critic Lev Bratishenko (Canada/UK), whose keynote speech on the history and significance of the Venice Architecture Biennale will be heard in the morning.

Archinfo, the Information Centre for Finnish Architecture, is responsible for the exhibitions of the Finnish Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.

Prize Ceremony: Damy Tulevaisuus Awards

16:00–17:00
Habitare Pro Workshop
Archinfo, Damy

The Damy Tulevaisuus Award for young architects and designers celebrates the future talents of the built environment and introduces the graduating students’ inspiring viewpoints on sustainable resource-saving design and wellness enhancing culture.

Every two years the award is granted to maximum three theses projects in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture or design. In the event, the award finalists will present their thesis projects, after which the winner will be announced.

Some of the presentations will be held in English but the main language is Finnish.

Saturday 5 September

Beautifully worn – Falling in love with old houses

13:00–13:30
Stage
Hemfolk

In this live podcast, Nina Sointu and Mia Tiitta explore the appeal of old log houses and the beauty of original materials, while making the case for renovations that don’t require everything to be replaced.

The event will be held in Finnish.