Interrogating Contemporary Finnish Design

Finland, being a rather small Scandinavian country, has a strong international design identity with brands like Marimekko, Artek, and Iittala, however the most known individual influence that contributes to design identity of Finland comes from architect Alvar Aalto. Famous for mixing materials such as wood and brick, and utilizing Japanese ideas, Aalto made his way to international success. My research in Finland revolved around the Finnish design identity today and whether it diverges from the influence of Aalto, now some 60 years past his prime. To specify, this is the Finnish design identity within Finland, not the international assumed identity. The reason for this exploration stems from my passion for furniture and interior design, focusing on the use of wood and the feeling of warmth. These themes are incredibly important to Aalto as well, and therefore make his work a prime example to study when it comes to how these ideas impact their surroundings and their longevity.

In order to research this question, I had to let the places I visited and people I talked to be somewhat dictated by the city of Helsinki. I did not want to have a strict itinerary set before my travel because my findings would be more reflective of an international design identity instead of a local design identity. The places that were pre-decided included Alvar Aalto's home and studio, as well as some of the larger design and architecture museums in the city of Helsinki. The places that provided more information about Finland's design identity were small shops down side streets in Helsinki.

My primary finding through this research is that Finland's design culture is one of reusability. Lining the streets of Helsinki are second hand stores with things ranging from pieces of clothing to furniture to kitchen ware. The only type of establishment more common than a second hand store was a hair salon (an interesting, unexpected finding). Artek Second Cycle is a prime example of this reuse culture. Aimed at showing the longevity of Artek's pieces, primarily designed by Aalto, Second Cycle is one of the largest and most well-known furniture stores in Helsinki, recommended by many. Aalto is therefore extremely prevalent to the design identity of Finland, not only because of specific designs, but because of the standards of longevity in design. Unlike the US in which fast fashion, and fast design, leads to pieces that do not withstand the test of time both physically and stylistically. Aalto's work holds both a timeless aspect and a toughness that helps it last through generations. Because of this, roughly half of all the places I visited had some sort of Aalto furniture or glassware, be it a hair salon, a restaurant or a shopping mall. Stools were the most common piece that I saw and to the Finns, they were not anything special, just a regular stool that did its job.

My second finding is that Finnish design, as a whole, is obsessed with wood. Finland proudly holds acres and acres of forest, making wood possibly its largest resource. It is no wonder that Aalto has an obsession and an appreciation for the material. However, my findings are that wood is not only prevalent in Finnish design because of Aalto. The national identity is shaped around wood and Aalto's use, while innovative in style, is not the singular selling point of the material. Wood is so important that the primary exhibit at the Helsinki Museum of Architecture is based upon the material alone.

These findings have made me investigate further the longevity of wood-centered design. I hope to create pieces of furniture from wood that can withstand the test of time and end the fast plastic design that plagues our culture. I have also learned that design identities when fueled by values and not flash can truly transform ways of life and influence new movements while still respecting the past. As I move forward into my thesis work in Architecture and Design I hope to utilize some of the lessons I learned from this trip and share them with my peers. For those that may not be design focused, or furniture focused for that matter, I hope that these images and information help to foster an appreciation for the materials and research that goes into their surroundings. Through this, sustainability in design can be reached, which helps both the environment and mental health.