Meet Lippa – Helsinki’s new summer hangout
There are 19 original canopy kiosks in Helsinki, all designed by Gunnar Taucher and originally built for the 1940 Olympic Games. The reimagined Mustikkamaa kiosk was designed by architect Tuomas Silvennoinen.
THIS STORY GOES back five years, to the days of the pandemic, when musician and actor Olavi Uusivirta would stroll along the shores of Mustikkamaa in Helsinki. On one of those walks, he came across an abandoned canopy kiosk that had clearly seen better days. Since its closure, the weathered little structure had mostly served as a hub for underground parties and an impromptu graffiti wall.
Helsinki is dotted with these iconic canopy kiosks, known in Finnish as “lippakioski”. Many of them were originally designed by Gunnar Taucher. Built in central locations across the city for the 1940 Olympic Games – which were ultimately cancelled due to World War II – the wooden kiosks with their overhanging roofs were intended for selling soda, sweets, and light refreshments. They even served as small outdoor cafés. By the 1970s and ’80s, however, their popularity faded, and many were left to slowly decay in place.
But Uusivirta saw potential in the crumbling kiosk. So when the City of Helsinki opened up the site for lease through a public competition, he jumped at the chance and ended up winning it.
Canopy kiosks follow a simple structure: a compact wooden building with a front window and a service counter tucked beneath the overhanging roof. At Lippa, the Aalto K65 chairs by Artek were supplied by Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales team.
Not only was the original Mustikkamaa canopy kiosk covered in graffiti, it also lacked basic necessities like electricity and running water. And as it turned out, the structure was far too decayed to be restored. The verdict? Demolition. In its place, a brand-new Lippa kiosk was built. But the team wasn’t exactly given a blank slate: the original building was under the protection of the Finnish Heritage Agency.
Today, the Lippa that stands on the site is almost an exact replica of the original, faithfully rebuilt according to heritage preservation guidelines. The new structure was designed by architect Tuomas Silvennoinen. The most noticeable changes are a set of stairs leading up to the terrace – and, of course, modern utilities tucked discreetly into place.
These stairs weren’t part of the original lippakioski. On the terrace, Lippa’s co-founder and restaurateur Hilma Kotkaniemi rearranges the chairs.
Hilma Kotkaniemi joined the Lippa project in early 2025 and has been hands-on ever since.
The go-to spot for laid-back summer days
The building process moved at lightning speed. The original canopy kiosk was torn down in the fall of 2024, and construction on the new version began in January 2025. Just six months later, Lippa opened its doors to the public. “The final inspection was approved only four hours before opening,” laughs Hilma Kotkaniemi, who now runs the restaurant.
Kotkaniemi joined the project at the start of 2025 as its concept lead and project manager. Collaborating with Uusivirta felt like a natural continuation of the pair’s long-standing creative partnership. The two friends have known each other for decades and have organized various events together, each one bigger and bolder than the last.
With a background in the restaurant world, Kotkaniemi had a clear vision for Lippa from the start. “I wanted to bring to Helsinki the kind of place I myself have always wished for,” she says. The driving themes behind the design? Casual, approachable, and unfussy, yet without compromising on quality.
The kiosk’s color palette nods to the architecture of the 1930s. Kotkaniemi was keen to avoid trendy hues and instead aimed for timelessness. For inspiration, she wandered through the stairwells of old apartment buildings in Töölö. The final palette features creamy white, deep burgundy, and pale blue – each one softened into muted, elegant tones.
Lippa’s spacious terrace opens up to a stunning view of the sea.
Kotkaniemi wanted guests to share tables – something not so typical for Finns. The warm, communal feel comes from a striking eight-meter wooden table designed by Santeri Mortti.
The chosen color palette pays tribute to the original kiosk and the spirit of 1930s architecture. The round Week-end bistro table is by Petite Friture.
At Lippa, the palette plays with creamy white, deep burgundy, and soft shades of blue.
Blending in with Mustikkamaa’s nature
Lippa’s inviting outdoor space was designed in collaboration with Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales team. According to Heli Juuti, who worked on the project, the schedule was tight, but Hilma Kotkaniemi had a crystal-clear vision for what the terrace should feel like.
“The furniture had to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, both in color and in character. It needed to reflect the mood of the building itself: joyful, welcoming, soft, and organic. The terrace is beautifully finished with playful parasols by Mirlo, whose shapes bring together a quirky, pavilion-like charm with a serene Mediterranean vibe,” Juuti explains.
For Kotkaniemi, it was important that the kiosk didn’t stand out too sharply when viewed from the sea. Instead, it needed to blend gently into the surrounding landscape of forest and rocky shoreline. The Mirlo parasols are the one playful exception, but their charming silhouette is meant to be seen from afar.
For seating, the team chose Luxembourg chairs by Fermob, originally designed in 1923 for the famed Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris.
Those seeking a more laid-back lounging spot will find HAY’s Palissade Cord chairs scattered across the terrace.
Many of the decorative details at Lippa – ceramics, vases, and objects – are pieces Kotkaniemi had originally collected for her own home.
So, how has Lippa’s first summer felt? “Deliciously delightful,” Kotkaniemi beams. From the very beginning, Lippa has been a hit, and Kotkaniemi admits that none of them could’ve predicted just how big things would get.
While Kotkaniemi had some previous experience in the restaurant world, opening a full-blown eatery was uncharted territory for both her and Uusivirta. Typically, new restaurants start off quietly, with a soft launch that allows the team to iron out the kinks. But Lippa? It dove right in. “We’ve been learning as we go, sometimes the hard way,” she says with a smile.
A strong DIY spirit runs through everything. The seat cushions, for example, were sewn by Kotkaniemi’s mother using old tablecloths.
Lippa still has plenty of delights in store for the rest of the summer – and next year, things are only getting bigger.
As cultural professionals themselves, Kotkaniemi and Uusivirta have made it a point to support others in the field. Not only do they bring creatives into Lippa’s staff, but they also offer musicians a stage to try out new ideas and experiment with fresh concepts.
By late summer 2025, the sounds of live music will fill the air in Mustikkamaa, with Finnish artists like Vesta and Arppa –alongside Uusivirta himself – set to perform on Lippa’s terrace stage.
“And just wait until next summer,” Kotkaniemi grins. “That’s when we’ll unveil Lippa 2.0!”
See also:
• Restaurant Lippa >
• Finnish Design Shop's Contract Sales >
Published on 29 Jul, 2025
