Amidst the tumult of the Second World War, architect Erik Bryggman designed a peaceful cemetery chapel in Turku, in which death is encountered with respect and gentleness. It has become a landmark of Finnish architecture. Read more
Aleksi Hautamäki and Milla Selkimäki accomplished what many people only dream of: bought an island of their own and built there two self-designed cabins. The aim of Project Ö was to make the cabins as sustainable as possible without sacrificing comfort. Read more
Located in the coastal town of Calpe, Spain, La Muralla Roja is a striking combination of North-African architectural influences, surreal pastel colors and geometrical constructivism. The breathtaking apartment complex is just one of architect Ricardo Bofill's over 1,000 projects. Read more
Located in the Gothenburg Archipelago, Villa Vassdal offers residents a ruggedly beautiful sea landscape and cozy wooden surfaces. Designed by Studio Holmberg, this summer residence is an inventive combination of modern holiday home architecture and the time-honored building traditions of the Swedish archipelago. Read more
Gazebos are often a captivating combination of open-air closeness to nature and pompous designs. The architectural firm Tham & Videgård decided to bring the same spirit to a holiday home built on the Swedish island of Krokholmen. Read more
Heikki and Kaija Siren’s sea chapel inspired a place for quiet that has everything a person needs. Read more
Known as Alvar Aalto's masterpiece, the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Finland is an intoxicating ensemble of Aalto's detailed imprint and timeless elegance. Let Franckly's lifestyle images shot at Finlandia Hall offer you inspiration. Read more
When asked to build two new houses in place of one demolished home, architects need to be exceptionally creative at problem-solving. Located in southern Finland, the Matchbox houses, jointly created by Avanto Architects and Poiat Studio, were built to blend in with a rocky hillside plot and the surrounding pine trees. Read more
A sloping plot and grand view of the Austrian Alps inspired the architect Sigurd Larsen to design a modern mountain home combining the best qualities of wood and glass. The Mountain House was both a challenging and rewarding project for Larsen's studio. Read more
Eero Saarinen's masterpiece, the TWA Flight Centre at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, has gained a new lease of life as a luxury airport hotel. The newly opened TWA Hotel has been restored in the spirit of Saarinen's legacy and the 1960's. Read more
Design agency KOKO3’s handprint is visible in the interior of Hanaholmen Cultural and Conference Center, built in the 1970s. They transformed the place into a fluid combination of the old and new. Read more
The refurbishment of this traditional London residence pushed the envelope, combining the old with the new. The materials used pay homage to the industrial history of the local area. Read more
For the PAN Treetop Cabin project, Norwegian architect Espen Surnevik drew inspiration from Tove Jansson's Moomin stories. The treetop rental cabins are located in forest terrain inhabited long ago by Finnish immigrants. Read more
The Casa Vicens in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí, dazzles with its spectrum of colors and detail. After being a private residence for more than 130 years, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has, after an extensive restoration, been opened to the public. Read more
Numerous buildings testify to Alvar Aalto’s intensive design activity outside of Finland. Of the six buildings which he completed in Germany, three are to be found in the city of Wolfsburg: the Alvar-Aalto-Kulturhaus and two churches, Heilig-Geist-Kirche and Stephanuskirche. Read more
Alko, the Finnish retail seller of alcoholic beverages, had its Töölöntori store in Helsinki renovated in 1930s style as part of the company’s 85th anniversary celebrations. The unique nostalgia store was designed by design agency Kuudes. Read more
The Paimio Sanatorium is considered to be one of Alvar Aalto’s most important works. The functionalist building was built as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It is situated in the middle of a beautiful pine forest and is an impressive site up to this day. Read more
The modern summer villa in the Stockholm archipelago has been designed with nature in mind. Read more
Finland's largest and best-known arena, the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, has been given a major renovation, highlighting the Stadium’s 30’s functionalism while doubling its surface area. The renovation was a balancing act between preservation and new construction. Read more
The new art museum Amos Rex opens its doors in downtown Helsinki after the construction work, which took two and a half years to complete. The museum partially located underground was designed by JKMM Architects. Read more
The legendary, new and improved Palace Restaurant in Helsinki has reclaimed its place among the Michelin-awarded restaurants in Finland. When Palace was in touch with Swedish Note Design Studio, their intent was not to go for trendy interiors – quite the opposite, in fact. They wanted to create a timeless atmosphere that would honour the unique history of the location. Read more
A tangle of electrical cables and echoing space gave way to soft tones when interior designer Laura Seppänen converted a former hairdressing salon into a studio and showroom for herself. Read more
Studio Joanna Laajisto designed a new home for the advertising agency, Bob the Robot, in the former Elanto bread factory in Sörnäinen, Helsinki. The result, House of Bobs, is not a conventional office space. Read more
The modern garden town of Tapiola was built next to Helsinki in the 1950s and 60s. It became a test lab for the latest ideas in architecture and urban planning. Read more
Right now is the right time to stay at home and have the movie marathon of your life. We picked a list of movies, TV series and documentaries that offer something for every design and architect lover. Get your popcorn ready, take a seat and enjoy! Read more
The Audo is a hybrid space, which houses, in perfect harmony, a small boutique hotel, restaurant and the design brand Menu’s new headquarters and its concept store. The Audo is also a collaborative work and event space that provides an inspiring setting for the local creative community and design lovers visiting the city. Read more
There are homes where people live for a long time. Despite eccentricities – or perhaps because of them – they have a pleasant atmosphere. Read more
Discover Josef Frank’s work this winter at Helsinki’s Design Museum. The production of the architect-designer, belonging among the icons of Nordic design, includes sleek functionalism, as well as copious plant patterns. Read more
Jean Prouvé was an open-minded pioneer in crafts, design, and architecture. Today, the French designer is best known for his furniture, which was reintroduced into the collection of Vitra in the early 2000s. Read more
Hanni Koroma created the interior design of Espa, a newly opened restaurant in Helsinki, combining Finnish wood types with a market square feel and warm, cozy atmosphere. Read more
Artek's A330S pendant lamp, also as known as the Golden Bell, has been a part of the Restaurant Savoy in Helsinki since the very beginning. The Golden Bell Savoy, which develops a beautiful patina over time, has also become a favorite in contemporary interiors. Read more
The inviting interior design of Sofia Future Farm was created purely with the furnishing, as the buildings are strictly protected. The &Tradition chairs, supplied by Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales, combine the different spaces with each other. Read more
Pop-up dining experience Zero Waste Bistro brings food, design and a powerful message to the New York design week. The bistro is furnished by Finnish Design Shop with design classics from Artek and Iittala. Read more
Skagerak’s latest garden furniture collection Lilium was created in collaboration with architecture studio BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group. The multifunctional, laid-back collection in teak combines BIG’s innovative architectural vision with Skagerak’s design philosophy characterized by sustainability and timelessness. Read more
Marseille, a city of rugged charm. Rotterdam with its modern architecture. Mondo’s editorial staff picked some non-capital-city attractions worth visiting from your armchair. Read more
Elina Ulvio is a Helsinki-based designer whose pieces of furniture are geometric, inventive and playful. They also reflect her years in architecture. Read more
Like many others, the employees of the interior architecture agency Fyra have moved to their home offices. Current social distancing measures inspired a solution for a more ergonomic home office: the Fem work desk is a smart workstation for sitting and standing. Read more
Inspired by the architecture of the house, Elisabeth and Roar’s decor is a modern interpretation of the 1970s style. Located in Eidsvoll, Norway, the residence has been gradually transformed into a home where the past and the present blend together harmoniously. Read more
Nina and Jørgen decorated their Oslo home with dark and earthy tones. The dramatic color scheme highlights the special architecture of the apartment built in an old stable. Read more
This week the 3 Days of Design took over the showrooms, streets, and architectural marvels of Copenhagen to celebrate Nordic design – Danish in particular. The event was arranged under exceptional circumstances, but the atmosphere fell nothing short of spectacular. Design Stories joined the inspirational exhibitions from a distance and picked out a selection of favorites – take a look! Read more
Scandinavian design has been on the rise in Asian countries for many years now. Design Stories set on a quest to find out why. We had the honor to chat with Asian creatives who shared with us their favorite pieces of Nordic design. In this story, we meet architectural designer Laura Phay. Read more
Kaksikko, also known as the design duo Wesley Walters and Salla Luhtasela, created the architecturally inspired Ridge vase for the Danish design house Muuto. Read more
A black-sided smoke sauna was extended with a holiday house that is transparent, like a greenhouse. The complex designed by the architectural office Mattila & Merz blends in with the surrounding nature. Read more
Director Virpi Suutari's documentary ‘Aalto’ examines Alvar and Aino Aalto not only as talented architects and modern cosmopolitans, but also deeply human characters. Design Stories interviewed Suutari about the film’s premiere. Read more