Good morning, moi, moi again!
As promised in the last post from Helsinki I am back to share with you a peek into our (bloggers!) adventures during finnish design week – Habitare 2016. We’ve spent four incredible days in Hotel Haven, visiting hottest spots, every design enthusiast should see. I have to admit – the program was very intense, but I loved exploring the city on gulf’s of Finland shore. Big thanks to our amazing team – Desiree, Elisabetta, Rikka and Stefan and guides – Annika and Elena for unforgettable experience!
The initial idea was to share one post, but looking at the pictures overload and all the interesting places we’ve visited I have split it into two parts. Oh boy, looks like we really had a lot of fun in Helsinki! Today I would like to take you with me to – Alvar Aalto studio, followed by a boat trip to restaurant – Sakkarliama and a quick look into recently opened, public sauna Fins can’t live without! In the second post I’ll show you the Marimekko factory and more culinary spots.
All right ladies and gentlemen, time to start the virtual tour. Vamos!
FIRST STOP // Alvar Aalto Studio tour – Our stay in Helsinki started with a lovely opening event organized in Alvar Aalto studio. I imagined it to be great, as much as Aalto’s design and architecture talent but I didn’t know it would inspire me in so many ways. The studio is a dream come true – with a very bright and spacious drawing office encircled by natural light from a band of high-level windows. Most of the walls are white, combined with wooden furniture, iconic designs and plants.
After a very entertaining guided tour, we’ve had a delicious dinner, followed by a concert held in the garden just outside the studio. Beautiful music, wine and twinkling candle lights was a truly great way to start the design week.
SECOND STOP // Boat trip to Sarkanlinna restaurant – I really enjoyed the evening on the historic fortress island of Särkkä, where we got by boat from Helsinki. The restaurant is designed by Architect Oiva Kallio and it offers an incredible view of the port and open sea.
Delicious food including local fish and great company, what’s not to love?
THIRD STOP // Helsinki Design, Eco-Friendly Sauna – If you’ve already read my trend report from Habitare, you know that there is a big focus on eco design, and the new ‘Löyly’ Sauna is a great example of that. The structure is heated by wood, features smoke and has an access to Baltic sea to jump into at the end. Interesting fact: In Finland sauna is not a luxury experience it’s a part of everyday life, hence there are over 3 million of them, roughly one in each house!
Even though we haven’t entered the sauna itself, I feel like my body and mind got purified only by chilling at the rooftop terrace overlooking the sea-shore.
Hope you enjoyed the first part of our Helsinki tour as much as me, I’ll be back with the second one shortly, so stay tuned!
Click here to view all Helsinki 2016 posts.
Have a great day!
Photos: Agata Dimmich / Passion shake
Wow, looks like you guys had so much fun! I saw the photos from Habitare and it looks amazing – perhaps I will go next year, after all – I am very close to Helsinki. Have a great day xo