Together is more at Habitare

Habitare’s 2023 theme, Together, explores the contrasts of our time. The theme speaks about our need to feel togetherness, but also about our duty to take care of nature and each other – together.

We have more wealth than ever before, but at the same time, our current way of life pollutes nature and is riddled with inequality. On a daily basis, we face challenges and issues related to biodiversity loss, the climate crisis, and security. In the face of these global concerns, we must take action together, respecting our ties with each other and with nature.

“In times of uncertainty, we need security and a sense of togetherness. Hard times tie us to our families, our friends, and each other. With strong ties, we have the courage to do the right thing and to take chances, because we know that someone is holding on to us. We can be glued together by joy, empathy, meaningfulness, activism, hope, or a common goal. It is a reassuring thought that we are part of a global community that is breathing in the same rhythm”, say the designers behind the theme, Anna Pirkola and Kirsikka Simberg of Studio Plenty.

Habitare is a meeting place for beauty lovers

The theme of Together can also accommodate the points of view of cooperation or community. In the design industry, cooperation is key, as pointed out by the Creative Director of Habitare, Laura Sarvilinna.

"Seamless cooperation between the designer, the manufacturer, and the manufacturer’s network is how products and services are created. We can choose to be part of a number of different communities that offer interesting content or help us in everyday situations. Together we are more”, says Sarvilinna.

The importance of doing things together is also raised by the International Friend of Habitare, Anders Byriel, CEO of the Danish textile company Kvardrat. He will announce his Habitare favourites and give a keynote speech at the event and on the opening day, 13 September. Kvadrat is known for its cross-disciplinary collaborations with esteemed names, including the designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the artist Olafur Eliasson, the graphic designer Peter Saville, and the fashion designer Raf Simons.

Habitare will also feature, as a moderator of the Habitare Pro design talks, Max Fraser, Editorial Director of Dezeen, the world's most influential architecture and design magazine. The talks, How will materials shape the future? and Design Crimes and Icons, will be held on 13 and 14 September.

Every year, the appeal of Habitare is built anew, courtesy of the wonderful companies and people participating in the event. This year, too, visitors can look forward to five days of beauty, inspiration, tips, discussions, current phenomena, surprising discoveries – and encounters that will create new stories.

Habitare will be held from 13 to 17 September 2023 at Messukeskus in Helsinki. Read more: habitare.fi and habitarepro.com. As a guest of Hotel St. George, you’ll get a special offer for your Habitare tickets by using the discount code HABIBERRY when you buy your tickets in advance from the online shop at habitare.fi. The discount will be valid from 28 August to 12 September 2023.