My impression of what Helsinki was going to be like proved to be wrong. Helsinki was spared much of the destruction World War II had brought the rest of Europe. As a result, I was expecting an older looking city with a winding medieval layout. After a few minutes my impression was quickly dispelled. The city has a contemporary grid like layout with modern-day structures and wide streets. There is more asphalt than cobblestone.
One of the largest areas in Helsinki is the Helsinki Design District. It encompasses over twenty-five streets and seems to have an emphasis on functionalist principles, meaning everything was very practical and efficient. In one of the furniture stores there was something as simple as the three-legged stool on display. I had never paid attention to the difference between three legs and four legs, but it turns three-legged stools stack more efficiently and are actually proven to be steadier. Quality is also important. The stools I was shown take over a year to construct. First the legs are soaked in water for a few months to make the wood soft so that the leg can easily be shaped. Then over the next few months it is dried and treated to harden it. While expensive, the idea is pay for the quality and use it forever. This works well for functional, minimalists designs common here because of their timelessness. I was shown designs dating back fifty plus years which are still in common use today.
A fashion store I visited had a section of unisex clothing that did a compelling job without sacrificing looks. There were tons of small, independently owned shops that doubled as working studios, continuing the emphasis on functionalism by being multi-use. The set up consists of a gallery in the front with a workshop in the back. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the designers as they are creating their next piece. In a jewelry shop I came across handmade items from recyclable materials like beer bottle caps combined with pearls. Finally, sprinkle a few art galleries here and there and you have an idea of what this area consists of. Never have I come across such a large part of a city devoted to designers and its something more cities should replicate.
Early Sunday morning I take the high-speed train to Saint Petersburg, Russia!
// Oliver – Day 56 – Finland