Helsinki Design Week 2026 architecture tips
Julius Hirvi
The annual urban festival takes over central Helsinki from 28 August to 6 September. Find our architecture picks for Helsinki Design Week 2026 in this post.
This year, the festival is launching a two-year collaboration with the City of Helsinki. The aim of the collaboration is to bring Helsinki city centre an even more vibrant stage for culture and urban life.
The 2026 theme, Oncoming Other, invites visitors to come together and share the urban space. The festival’s events have interpreted the theme in their own ways, exploring the possibilities of both spontaneous and intentional encounters. This year, the festival is not centred around a single main venue, but spreads to different meeting places throughout central Helsinki, for example HDW Lab and Eteläranta 6.
Discussions and lectures
Mon 31 Aug at 4–6pm
Eteläranta 6, Helsinki
At the end of August 2026, the Architecture & Design Museum will open Eteläranta 6, a new space for events and encounters where visitors can follow the development of the new museum. The programme begins with a discussion between Aleksi Neuvonen, Research Director at Demos Helsinki, and Carson Chan, Chief Curator responsible for the content of the Architecture & Design Museum. After the discussion, the public is welcome to explore the space until 6pm.
Wed–Fri 2–4 Sep
various locations
Register
The popular Design Diplomacy series once again opens the doors to ambassadors’ residences, offering a rare opportunity to explore spaces that are usually closed to the public. The programme features engaging discussions with guests from Estonia, Denmark, France, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Belgium.
Designers meet as equals and share their experiences and perspectives in relaxed conversations guided by a card game created especially for the event. After the discussions, guests are invited to continue the conversation over refreshments with the ambassadors.
Discussion at the Embassy of Latvia “Encounters Through Design”
Wed 2 Sep at 4pm
Embassy of Latvia, Helsinki
Register by August 23 via maira.dobele@mfa.gov.lv
The Embassy of Latvia in Finland invites the public to an inspiring Design Diplomacy discussion with architect, designer and entrepreneur Aldis Circenis, founder and CEO of Latvian furniture brand ARTICUL. The discussion explores how design can create meaningful encounters between cultures, industries and people. In summer 2026, ARTICUL began a collaboration with Finnish Design Shop, strengthening the company’s position in the Nordic design scene.
Suburban Encounters panel discussion
Sat 5 Sep at 2–4pm
Helsinki City Museum, Aleksanterinkatu 16, Helsinki
The curators of the Helsinki City Museum’s Unknown Suburb exhibition, Laura Berger and Panu Savolainen, will be joined by a resident who has lived in several suburbs. Together, they will discuss differences between generations and cultures, how suburbs have changed over time, and why people feel proud of the places they call home. The discussion will also explore the encounters that take place in suburban neighbourhoods and whether a sense of community can be created.
The discussion will be held in Finnish.
Exhibitions
Tue–Sun 1–6 Sep
Mon–Thu 7:45am–9pm and Fri 7:45am–8pm
Otakaari 2, Espoo
Aalto University’s Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition presents dozens of practical solutions, experiments and ideas from researchers and students, offering a glimpse into future innovations. The exhibition explores inspiring and open-minded perspectives on the future of more sustainable architecture, construction, health and materials. The exhibition features everything from early-stage experiments to more advanced research and innovations from all six of the university’s schools.
Thu–Wed 3–7 Oct
Mon–Thu 8am–9pm, Fri 8am–8pm and Sat 9am–5pm
Aalto University, Väre, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Explore inspiring final projects by graduating students from Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture, spanning architecture, design, film, art and media. The students explore a wide range of topics, from imagining possible futures and questioning the present to showcasing and rethinking high-quality craftsmanship. Aalto ARTS students ask: what are design, architecture and art, how do they interact with society, and what role could they play at their best?
Meeting points and open studios
Instead of a single main event, the program spreads across multiple spaces. Registration can be done on site or in advance here. All meeting places can be registered with one form.
Fri–Sun 28 Aug–6 Sep
Corner of Kluuvikatu and Aleksanterinkatu
HDW Lab brings together urban development experts and decision-makers to explore new ways of bringing Helsinki city centre to life. Workshops focus on the potential of ground-floor spaces and public urban areas, while the ground floor hosts a programme of talks, workshops and demonstrations exploring the future of the city centre from 1–4 September.
Fri–Sun 28 Aug–6 Sep
Eteläranta 6
At the end of August, the Architecture & Design Museum will open Eteläranta 6, a new space for events and encounters where visitors can follow the development of the new museum. Together with its partners, the museum will host a programme in the space, designed by Joanna Laajisto, inviting Helsinki residents to discuss the role of architecture and design in the city. The space will also host a diverse programme during Helsinki Design Week.
Marimekko and Futuro at Helsinki Design Week
Fri–Sun 28 Aug–6 Sep
Kaisaniemenranta 2, Helsinki
Designed by Matti Suuronen in 1968, the iconic Futuro house is on display at the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden in collaboration with Marimekko. The project celebrates Suuronen’s legacy and explores how Futuro might respond to today’s needs and aspirations. The interior features Marimekko patterns by Danish designer Vibeke Rohland.
Sun 6 Sep at 11am–4pm
Itäinen rantatie 14, Nuottaniemi, Espoo
Artist Birger Carlstedt’s historic studio home opens to the public for the first time. The studio is now home to KAAOSSTUDIO, a shared creative workspace and gallery. On Sunday, a pop-up café offers visitors the chance to enjoy refreshments and take a look inside the studio.
Tue–Sun 1–6 Sep at 10am–8pm
Suomenlinna B 5 (Levyhalli), Helsinki
The Library of Darkness is a wooden pavilion created in collaboration with Aalto University’s Department of Architecture. It brings together and shares local knowledge about darkness in Suomenlinna. Developed as part of the Caring Commons research project, the library explores how creative practices can strengthen connections between people and nature and support the transition towards a more sustainable future.
Launches
Fri 4 Sep at 3:30–6pm
Vuorimiehentie 2 A, 1st floor, Otaniemi, Espoo
Register
The opening event celebrates a new community-focused space and service concept. TiLA! is a joint project by Aalto University and the City of Espoo, offering affordable studios and shared workspaces, as well as support services and a community for creative professionals.
Children’s events
Sat 5 Sep at 10:30am–2pm
Mosaiikkitori 2, Helsinki
In this workshop by Arkki, the architecture school for children and young people, participants will build imaginative carriages inspired by Pasi Pitkänen’s Towards the Unknown exhibition, creating a shared LEGO snake train. The workshop is suitable for children and adults. You can join for the whole session or drop in for a shorter while. More details about Arkki’s other workshops will be announced during August.
