Architecture
Villa Skeppet: Alvar Aalto’s last private home is monumental yet intimate
Designed by Alvar Aalto, Villa Skeppet is located near the center of Ekenäs, Finland. Aalto designed the house in the late 1960s for his close friend, writer Göran Schildt, and Schildt’s wife, Christine. Villa Skeppet would become the last private home Aalto designed during his career.
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KOKO3 designs stunning new junior suites for Hanaholmen
The new junior suites at Hanaholmen hotel in Helsinki are designed by interior architect Jukka Halminen of KOKO3. Finnish Design Shop’s Trade & Contract Sales supplied part of the suites’ interior products.
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For a discerning taste – Fjällen Lumière Penthouse brings refined luxury to Levi
At the foot of the Levi ski slopes in Finnish Lapland, you’ll find a penthouse rental defined by its modern, understated elegance. Finnish Design Shop’s Studio took part in designing this high-end leisure retreat in Levi, creating a setting where contemporary design meets the dramatic Arctic landscape.
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Designed for life – the story of Reima’s new office
In Helsinki’s Vallila district, behind the historic walls of the old Kravattitehdas, Reima's new office celebrates the beauty of time, play, and patina. Step inside to see what happened when design studio Fyra and Finnish Design Shop's Trade & Contract Sales joined forces to create a space filled with character and an effortless sense of well-being.
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In the footsteps of Alvar Aalto – An architectural tour of his hometown Jyväskylä
Alvar Aalto designed nearly 30 buildings in and around his hometown of Jyväskylä, located in Central Finland. Among them are some of his most internationally acclaimed works, which encapsulate his multifaceted and human-centered approach to architecture. The city also features lesser-known early projects, whose tradition-inspired architecture may come as a surprise.
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Meet Lippa – Helsinki’s new summer hangout
How did an abandoned canopy kiosk spark the transformation into this summer’s liveliest meeting spot? Design Stories met up with Hilma Kotkaniemi, who – together with Olavi Uusivirta – turned a forgotten “lippakioski” site on Helsinki’s Mustikkamaa island into the wildly popular Lippa restaurant. The cozy, sun-drenched terrace was brought to life in collaboration with Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales team.
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Tove Jansson’s studio: A creative sanctuary and the birthplace of the Moomins
High above the rooftops of Helsinki, Tove Jansson made her home in a quiet studio where creativity took center stage. Comforts were secondary – what mattered most was the work. Design Stories was given the rare opportunity to visit this atmospheric space, sure to move any fan of the Moomins.
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A visit to Studio Aalto, the heart of Alvar Aalto’s creative work
When Alvar Aalto designed a new building for his architectural practice in Helsinki in the mid-1950s, he created a light-filled studio space with gently curved walls and a view of a courtyard shaped like an amphitheater. Join Design Stories for a visit to Studio Aalto – a place where creativity, architecture, and everyday life intertwined.
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TEK Lounge in Tampere, Finland, offers a cozy campus living room for students
Located on the Hervanta campus of Tampere University, the newly renovated TEK Lounge is a welcoming hub for technology students. We spoke with designer Ilkka Palinperä about the redesign of this popular space and the seamless collaboration with Finnish Design Shop’s Trade & Contract Sales team, who supplied nearly all of the lounge’s furniture.
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KOKO3 designed an office for Dottir that breaks all industry stereotypes
Law firm Dottir is anything but conventional – and it doesn’t try to be. This is evident in its office designed by KOKO3, where a bold interior filled with contemporary art feels more like an art gallery than a traditional law firm.
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The House of Northern Lights weaves an unbreakable bond with Lapland’s nature
Joiku Ski & Lake Chalets is a newly completed complex of 17 luxurious villas, located in the heart of Finnish Lapland. The interior design of the standout flagship villa, The House of Northern Lights, was curated by Finnish Design Shop Studio.
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Eero Saarinen’s iconic design transformed: TWA Hotel breathes new life into a decommissioned airport terminal
Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA Flight Center at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport has been reimagined as a luxury airport hotel. Opened in 2019, the TWA Hotel beautifully preserves Saarinen’s visionary design while celebrating the spirit of the 1960s.
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Architecture on Design Stories
The architecture stories on Design Stories explore the built environment, homes, and spaces through a design-focused lens. We publish articles on contemporary Finnish and Scandinavian architecture, as well as selected architectural destinations from Finland and around the world.
In the Architecture category, we look at private homes and public spaces alike, covering new builds, renovations, and the relationship between architecture and interiors. The selection also includes reference projects from Finnish Design Shop’s Trade & Contract Sales and Studio interior design services.
Design Stories is the online magazine of Finnish Design Shop, created to inspire and delight design lovers everywhere. We hope you enjoy exploring with us! Have a story tip or thoughts on our content? We’d love to hear from you.
