The World Capital of ‘Mid-Century’ Design
Yesterday I received my favorite design and architecture magazine: Case da Abitare.
There’s always an article about some design-oriented city around the world; in this issue is Helsinki.
The reason why I’m writing about it is that Finland and Helsinki were extremely important in the Mid-Century Modern design history, one of  its most famous designer was Alvar Aalto.
The Finns really care about design and architecture -many young people aspire to become architects or designers-Â and they have a long and valuable history in the art field.
Scandinavian and Finnish values in design are mainly related to natural materials, environment respect, organic forms, attention for the object function and quality. Ittala, for example,  is one of the most famous Finnish brand in the glassware market.
The Mid Century designer/architect Alvar Aalto is a national hero in Finland; his design principles and works ‘personify’ the Finns’ values.
There are many buildings in Helsinki designed by him like the Auditorium, the Polytechnic, the Finlandia Hall Conference Centre and the Aalto Foundation.
In Helsinki you can find good design everywhere: restaurants, cafes, bookshops and concept stores …were Helsinkians like to meet up in a stimulating atmposhere. How cool is it?! 🙂
Moreover, next year Helsinki will become the World Design Capital… the right pretext to visit it.
I want to go there since a long time and, after reading this article, I’ll definitely plan a trip next year! 😀
Have you ever been to Helsinki or are you planning to go?
If yes, let me know your favourite places but in the meanwhile keep following Mid Century Home for free trough the RSS by the Mail List or Twitter!
You will only receive great ideas and information about the Mid-Century modern world.
Ciao!
Really enjoyed your article and the photos were superb. nicely done.
Thank you 😀
That’s why I love this magazine…always nice and inspiring topics!
Thanks for stopping by…I hope to see you around often
ciao!
Loved this article about Helsinki. Where can I find a copy of this magazine? Is it available in English?
thank you
Ehi! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
The magazine is in Italian with the english translation of each article at the end.
It’s available abroad, but it depends where you live…if you’ve an iPad, email me and I’ll tell you how you can get the subscription.
I hope to see you around here often 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Ciao!
Cheers from Helsinki, it’s finally summer here.
Alvar Aalto has had somewhat big impact on architecture but even he has his bad works. Especially his entrances don’t seem to honor the ensemble. Take a look for example the former Stora Enso headquarters: http://www.hs.fi/kuvat/iso_webkuva/horizontal/1135228285250.jpeg. It’s in the middle of the oldest part of Helsinki market square and doesn’t fit at all into the surroundings which should be one of the key things in MCM ideology.
It’s pretty normal to see something of the man’s work. Actually, I used to live on the same street where his studio were. I even go to the Helsinki University of Technology, which nowadays is collaboration of three universitys named Aalto. You can see his architecture everywhere in Helsinki so maybe that’s why it’s easier to ignore.
The thing that worries me the most is the quality of the Finnish architecture today. Since the 70’s the overall design has been going into a worse direction when more and more things look disposable. One could think everything is superb here but it really is hard to find a piece of good new architecture anywhere in Finland.
I am a big fan of MCM, especially the Case study house programme and it’s architects. There have been, luckily, many good architects in here also. If you are only familiar with Aalto you should also check the names Viljo Revell or Aarne Ervi. Google Images is your friend 😉
Anyhow, thanks for the great blog. There’s never too many mid-century modern enthusiasts. You definitely should come here in 2012! The design capital things is very good publicity for us Finns. Keep up the good work and taste!
Hi Lauri, thanks for the interesting comment! 🙂
I can imagine that sometimes is hard to picture a modern building in a historical environment, like the one you showed in the link, but I personally find the contrast awesome! I love contrasts.
How inspiring was to live in the same street where Aalto had his studio?? My god! I can’t imagine anything nicer 😀 Did you become an architect/designer ?
I love the Case Study as well, I’m planning to write a series of posts about it actually….I hope you’ll come back to read and comment them 😉
I’m planning to go to Helsinki and I like to go to Stockholm as well…probably next year.
Any tip about the best places to visit in Helsinki? The locals know it better 😉
Thanks for the nice word… I hope to see you around here soon.
Ciao.
Thanks for the reply,
I didn’t apply to the department of architecture although it is a great passion and hobby to me. Instead I’m thinking of taking the International Design Business Management as a major.
For the tips, I’d say check out different kind of neighbourhoods by walking or by bike. The public transportation is good and cheap as well. I recommend getting familiar with Eira and Munkkiniemi. The latter has been partially designed by Eliel Saarinen (Eero Saarinen’s father) and is definitely worth visiting because of the attention to the nature and architecture. Aalto lived also in Munkkiniemi. I think in that area you can find most of the cool MCM houses. Of course there are also different museums and locations where you can take a guided tour, for example Aalto’s own house and studio.
You probably got my email-address via this comment form so don’t hesitate to take contact and ask advice if you are coming here 🙂
Hi Lauri…how many nice tips! I’ve to take notes 😉
Thank you very much! I’ll write to you for sure…soon.
Ciao!