Finland: Architecture and Design 2025
Tour Highlights
With architecture and design writer Stephen Crafti, explore the very best of Finland’s modernist and contemporary art, architecture, furniture and fashion in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki and Turku.
- Begin in Helsinki visiting the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.
- Enjoy an architect-led tour of Helsinki with visits to Eliel Saarinen’s Central Station, the Chapel of Silence, Oodi Helsinki Central Public Library and the famous Finlandia Hall.
- Meet with Tuuli Sotamaa in her renowned design studio Ateljé Sotamaa.
- Gain exclusive access to the private home and studio residence of acclaimed industrial, interior and textile designers Antti and Vuokko Nurmesniemi on the seashore of Kulosaari in East Helsinki.
- Tours of the Artek Flagship store and the Aalto House and Studio introduce us to Alvar Aalto, Finland’s most famous architect of the 20th century.
- At Marimekko view examples of their world-renowned prints, and meet artists at the Design Lab at the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre.
- View contemporary art at Didrichsen Art Museum, a seaside villa designed by Alvar Aalto’s assistant, Viljo Revell.
- Meet designer Harri Koskinen and learn about his internationally renowned range of products.
- In Jyväskylä visit the new Aalto2 Museum Centre which opened in 2023. Designed by A-Konsultit Architects, the centre comprises three buildings: the renovated Alvar Aalto Museum, the Museum of Central Finland and the new addition of the Aalto2 centre.
- Visit Alvar Aalto’s town hall at Säynätsalo and his experimental house at Muuratsalo. In Seinäjoki tour the striking Aalto Centre, view his Sanatorium at Paimio and, by special arrangement, see the world-famous Villa Mairea in Noormarkku.
- Visit Sibelius’ turn-of-the-century villa at Ainola, Villa Kokkonen by Aalto; and Villa Hvitträsk, Saarinen’s home and studio.
- Enjoy a private tour of an award-winning minimalist seaside residence, “Summer Villas”, designed by architect and mastermind Renni Haroma, Haroma & Partners
- In Fiskars, gain special access to the home studios of cabinet maker Antrei Hartikainen and ceramic artist Karin Widnäs.
- Relax in Löyly Sauna, with an exclusive visit with head designers Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen (Avanto Architects). Enjoy an optional ‘Löyly’ (meaning steam enveloping) experience.
- By special arrangement, visit the private home and studio of interior architect and furniture designer Yrjö Kukkapuro.
- Dine at the Savoy, the 80-year-old museum-like restaurant which bears the hallmark of Alvar Aalto and his then newly-founded furniture design brand Artek.
- Enjoy dinner at Finnjävel’s Sali Restaurant designed by Ateljé Sotamaa, the architects behind the Finnish Pavilion in World Expo 2017.
Overnight Helsinki (6 nights) • Jyväskylä (2 nights) • Seinäjoki (1 night) • Turku (2 nights) • Helsinki (2 nights)
Informal Professional Development for Architects
Practising architects who travelled on this program in past years qualified for Informal Professional Development points. The tour program includes over 10 hours of on-site learning delivered by qualified architects. Please refer to the daily schedule for the description of the sites visited. For details about the Continuing Professional Development point requirements please refer to the Australian Institute of Architects website: www.architecture.com.au
Testimonials
I loved that we met contemporary designers and architects. Stephen & Naomi related to them beautifully – warm, friendly, knowledgeable….All the sites we visited were extraordinary. Such a privilege to be able to have access to some of the private buildings such as Villa Mairea, and the summer houses designed by Renni Haroma. Lois, VIC.
Stephen and Naomi provided us with a stimulating and entertaining tour full of variety. Jo, VIC.
Itinerary
The following itinerary lists a range of museums, galleries, buildings and design projects which we plan to visit. Many are accessible to the public, but some require special permission, which may only be confirmed closer to the tour’s departure. The daily activities described in this itinerary may change or be rotated and/or modified in order to accommodate alterations in museum opening hours and privately hosted visits. The tour includes breakfast daily, lunches and evening meals as indicated in the itinerary where: B=breakfast, L=lunch, and D=dinner
Helsinki - 6 nights
Day 1: Tuesday 16 September, Arrive Helsinki
- Tour commences at 3.00pm in the foyer of the Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
- Welcome Meeting
- Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
- Welcome Drinks at Allas Sky Bar Bar
Meeting Point: The tour commences at 3.00pm in the foyer of the Sokos Hotel Vaakuna located next to the Helsinki Central Station.
We begin with a short welcome meeting and then proceed with a guided architectural tour of the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, designed by the American architect Steven Holl. The museum, highly controversial at the time of its design in 1998, exhibits the contemporary art collection of the Finnish National Gallery. We end the day with welcome drinks at Allas Sky Bar. (Overnight Helsinki)
Day 2: Wednesday 17 September, Helsinki
- Architecture walking tour of Helsinki
- Finlandia Hall
- Design Museum
- Ateljé Sotamaa
- Welcome Dinner at Savoy Restaurant
Led by a local architect, we take a walking tour of cutting-edge Helsinki architecture with visits to Kamppi (the Chapel of Silence) with its curved shape, the Temppeliaukion Church, the famous ‘Rock Church’ designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1968 and 1969, the state-of-the-art music venue Musiikkitalo, and Oodi – the new Helsinki Central Public Library.
We are introduced to the life and work of the grandfather of Finnish architecture and design, Alvar Aalto. This iconic Finn served in the Finnish Civil war in 1918 whilst in the midst of his architecture studies. In the early 1920s, he began his architecture career, following the styles of classicism and functionalism. He then went through an experimental period and began designing building interiors. He became increasingly successful, inventing the widely used three-legged stool, and introducing the patented bent wood manufacturing process. Aalto’s designs include libraries in Russia, theatres in Germany and churches in Italy. Later in his career he was commissioned for key projects in Helsinki such as Finlandia Hall, a key landmark that we visit this morning. Constructed in 1971, the congress and events centre is a modernist building featuring a tower with a high empty space for better acoustics (hidden from guests by a latticed ceiling).
We travel by public transport to reach the Design Museum, which presents the development of Finnish design from the late 19th century to today. It showcases the biggest names of Finnish design, from Akseli Gallen-Gallela and Alvar Aalto to Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva. The permanent exhibition dates back to the 1870s and looks at craft, fashion, furniture design and industrial design.
We then visit the Ateljé Sotamaa and meet with award-winning architect Tuuli Sotamaa. The studio, formed by brother and sister team Kivi and Tuuli Sotamaa, focuses on creating emotionally appealing objects and holistic architectural environments.
Tonight, we enjoy a welcome dinner at the Savoy Restaurant, the 80-year-old museum-like restaurant which bears the hallmark of Alvar Aalto and his then newly-founded design brand Artek, looking over the rooftops of Helsinki. The restaurant’s best-known interior design detail is the Savoy Vase – the famous undulating vase whose first models were created in 1936 – designed by Alvar and his wife Aino Aalto. In 2020 Ilse Crawford and her eponymous studio worked with Artek to carry out a sensitive revamp of this notable restaurant. (Overnight Helsinki) BD
Day 3: Thursday 18 September, Helsinki
- Harri Koskinen Studio
- Anti and Vuokko Nurmesniemi’s studio home, Kulosaari
- Marimekko Outlet: see some examples of world class print-designs
- Lunch at Maritori Restaurant
- Ivana Helsinki House
- Iittala & Arabia Design Centre and Design Lab
Today we meet Harri Koskinen, who established his design studio, Friends of Industry Ltd. in Helsinki in 1998. In his work Koskinen focuses mainly on product design, though his studio also offers concept design and exhibition architecture. Koskinen’s impressive list of clients includes companies such as Artek, Design House Stockholm, Iittala, Magis, Issey Miyake, Montina, Muji, Panasonic, Seiko Instruments, Swarovski and Venini. Koskinen has received prestigious awards for his works, including the Compasso d’Oro Award 2004 for his Muu chair, the Torsten and Wanja Söderberg Prize 2009, the Wallpaper Design Award for his Sofabed in 2010, and the Kaj Franck Design Prize 2014. Koskinen’s works have been presented in numerous exhibitions all over the world. His Block lamp for Design House Stockholm (1996) is included in the collection of MoMA. He also has works in the permanent collections of the Design Museum in Helsinki and in the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. Koskinen’s recent productions include an incense holder for Lisn, OMA tableware for Arabia and men’s underwear for Black Horse. Since 2012, Koskinen has been the Design Director of Iittala.
We then journey to the small island of Kulosaari in East Helsinki and gain exclusive access to the private residence of acclaimed designers Antti and Vuokko Nurmesniemi. Antti (1927-2003) attended the Institute of Industrial Arts and Crafts and played an active role in the development of the design sector. In 1956, he established his own interior design firm, Studio Nurmesniemi. The agency’s initial industrial design venture was the Pehtoori coffee pot, created for Wärtsilä in 1957. Meanwhile, Vuokko initially pursued ceramics at the Institute of Industrial Arts and Crafts before transitioning to fashion design. She served as a fashion designer at Marimekko from 1953 to 1960, and her iconic striped designs, including the Jokapoika shirt introduced in 1956, have remained in production for over six decades. In 1964, she launched her eponymous brand. The couple acquired this house in 1974, situated on the seashore yet discreetly tucked away from sight. The timeless elegance of their home and studio reflects their lifelong dedication to Finnish design and its soulful beauty remains captivating to this day. The furniture and lighting fixtures crafted by Antti, along with Vuokko’s fabrics and ceramic pieces, play a significant role in shaping the distinctive ambiance of this unique studio home.
We continue our exploration of Finnish design with a visit to Marimekko, to see the world class Marimekko print-designed clothes, textiles and interior design pieces. Following our visit to the Marimekko we have lunch at the refurbished Maritori Restaurant.
Next, we visit Ivana Helsinki Studio. Paola Ivana Suhonen is the Helsinki born designer, artist and film-maker behind the independent fashion and cinema brand Ivana Helsinki. Her brand is the only Scandinavian womenswear collection to be accepted into the official Paris Fashion Week “IN” Show calendar and has been featured in several alternative projects where fashion, design and modern art have been combined.
In the surrounding area, we observe the participatory architectural planning in residential suburb of Arabianranta. Literally ‘the coast or shoreline of Arabia’, this extraordinary old mixed industrial and residential precinct gained its name long before the Arabia ceramics factory, the largest ceramics centre in Europe, was built there. The name Arabia, or rather, ‘Arabian ja Kaanaan maa’ (the land of Arabia and Canaan) is already found in 18th-century documents whereas the Arabia factory was not founded until 1871.
Nowadays, Arabianranta is undergoing a fascinating revival in which ultra-modern development contrasts to older industrial plant style. It is fundamentally a place of contrasts: ‘old and new’, ‘nature and urbanity’, ‘industry and residence’, ‘work and peace’, ‘art and technology’. Arabianranta is home to 10,000 people, a workplace for 5000 and a campus for 6000 students and professionals. The highlight of our exploration is a visit to Iittala & Arabia Design Centre, Finland’s most celebrated design and lifestyle brands, Iittala and Arabia. In their Design Lab Centre, we meet new artists in residence. (Overnight Helsinki) BL
Day 4: Friday 19 September, Helsinki
- Architecture walking tour of Helsinki
- Marita Huurinainen Showroom (to be confirmed in 2025)
- Lunch at Dylan Marmoripiha Restaurant in the Rautalo building
- Artek Flagship Store
- Artek 2nd Cycle
We begin the day with another walking tour of Helsinki, with an emphasis on Art Nouveau and Neo-classical architecture. We stop first to visit Helsinki Main Railway Station built by Eliel Saarinen, between 1903 and 1919. We then walk to Pohjola Insurance Building; this Art Nouveau building was designed by Eliel Saarinen and built in 1901 by Gesellius, Lindgren and Saarine.
The Neo-classical Senate Square in Helsinki is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful urban squares in the world. In the heart of Helsinki, one can still feel the presence of both Russia and Sweden – and that of Europe, along the lush, lively Esplanade Park with its neo-renaissance palaces and cafés. Then we visit Akateminen Bookstore, the Academic Bookstore, the masterpiece designed by the renowned Alvar Aalto in 1969.
At the end of our tour, we meet with designer Marita Huurinainen at her showroom, which features modern wooden clogs, evening wear and other creations. Of particular fame is her award-winning ‘wave shoe’, innovatively designed to be flexible to walk in, even though it is made from wood.
We enjoy lunch at Dylan Marmoripiha, located in the historic Rautatalo building designed by Alvar Aalto.
We then visit the Artek Flagship Store. When Artek first opened in 1935, it mainly sold furniture designed by two of its cofounders, the architect and designer couple Alvar Aalto and his wife, Aino. It still sells classic Aalto, but also stocks the works of other famous Finnish and international designers.
We finish the day with a short walk to Artek 2nd Cycle, a shop featuring a vintage collection of Alvar Aalto furniture as well as other Finnish and international brands. (Overnight Helsinki) BL
Day 5: Saturday 20 September, Helsinki – Järvenpää – Helsinki
- The Aalto House and Studio: guided tour
- Villa Kokkonen: guided tour
- Villa Ainola: guided tour
We commence with a visit of the Family Home and Office designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto in 1934-36. The building presents a severe façade to the street, hiding an interior that experiments with the ‘Romantic Functionalist Style’ that Aalto fully developed in the later Villa Mairea. Nearby we visit Aalto’s studio of 1955, which is often considered one of his finest buildings from the ’50s.
We next transfer to one of Aalto’ last works, Villa Kokkonen, designed for the composer Joonas Kokkonen. Completed in 1969, it has been seen as a precursor to Finlandia Hall in Helsinki. The heart of the home is the large study, which was designed around a grand piano, a unique orchestration of architecture, design and music.
To conclude the day’s program, we visit Villa Ainola. Jean Sibelius and his family moved into this villa in 1904 after it was designed by Lars Sonck according to just two simple requests from the composer: a view of Lake Tuusula and a green fireplace in the dining room. The current appearance of the house is an authentic representation of the house as it was in 1969, when Aino Sibelius passed away there, 12 years after the death of her composer husband. We visit Aino’s garden, sauna and Sibelius’ tomb. (Overnight Helsinki) BL
Day 6: Sunday 21 September, Helsinki
- Lokal Gallery
- Museum of Finnish Architecture: guided tour
- Iittala Flagship Store
- Löyly Sauna: architectural visit with Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen, Avanto Architects, optional sauna visit and view from the terraces
We commence with a visit to Lokal, an award-winning concept store and gallery in the heart of Helsinki. Lokal Gallery, founded by photographer Katja Hagelstam, specializes in showcasing unique and limited edition items by local artists, designers and artisans. Temporary exhibitions aim to provide new experiences, which revolve around an exceptional understanding of material, whether that’s glass, ceramics, wood, or textile. Showing a mix of recognised as well as up-and-coming artists, Lokal is also a Helsinki retailer of highly acclaimed Fiskars-based furniture brand Nikari.
We then visit the Museum of Finnish Architecture, whose huge collection consists of 85,000 black-and-white photographs, 30,000 slides, 500,000 original drawings, copies of drawings, documents and models. Our visit here provides an excellent overview of Finnish 20th-century architecture. Next we explore the Iittala Flagship Store, designed by Kaj Franck, which has served generations of Iittala customers since it first opened in the 1950s. The historic space presents the Iittala collection, along with a wide selection of Arabia products.
We end the day with a visit to Löyly Sauna which we tour with the architects Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen, Avanto Architects. Löyly is the Finnish word for the steam that envelopes you when water is thrown on the hot sauna rocks. This steam is essential to the sauna experience, which tour participants can either partake in at leisure or, alternatively, you may wish to climb atop the building to admire sea views. We enjoy a drink on the terrace. (Overnight Helsinki) B
Jyväskylä - 2 nights
Day 7: Monday 22 September, Helsinki – Lahti – Jyväskylä
- Alvar Aalto’s Church of the Cross, Lahti
- Sibelius Hall, Lahti
- Piano Pavilion, Lahti
- University of Jyväskylä incl. main building with library, Lozzi Restaurant & Training School
Today we depart Helsinki and drive north to Lahti. On arrival we tour Aalto’s Church of the Cross (1970-1978), described as Gethsemane, a garden of peace in Lahti’s city centre. The church’s brilliant light-filled interior and excellent acoustics make a stunning concert space.
We continue to Sibelius Hall, a congress and concert centre completed in 2000 and situated by the Lake Vesijärvi. The very spacious Forest Hall and the stunning lake scenery create an incredible atmosphere, and as architects Hannu Tikka and Kimmo Lintula explain, the main source of inspiration in the design was Finnish forests. This is the biggest public wooden building to be constructed in Finland in the last 100 years.
Continuing with the wood theme, we visit the Piano Pavilion, built in 2008 from eco-friendly materials and part of the wooden architecture park being built in the area. According to Swedish-born Gert Wingårdh, the building resembles a ship that is about to launch.
In the afternoon we drive through Finnish woodlands to Jyväskylä where we tour Aalto’s University including the main building with the library, the Lozzi Restaurant and the training school. (Overnight Jyväskylä) BLD
Day 8: Tuesday 23 September, Jyväskylä
- Muurame Church
- Muuratsalo Experimental House
- Saynatsalo Town Hall
- Aalto2 Museum Centre
Today is filled with visits to Alvar Aalto buildings. With an expert local guide, we venture onto the island of Muuratsalo, which features a typical Finnish mixed forest, with birch and pine predominating. Here, we view Aalto’s Experimental House which along with Villa Mairea (visited on day 10) is one of the best examples of Alvar Aalto’s residential architecture.
Other Aalto buildings visited this morning are Muurame Church (1926-29), and Saynatsalo Town Hall. James Maude Richards, British architectural writer, said of the Town Hall in 1978: ‘It is intimate and idiosyncratic, with an unusual layout directly responsive to the genus loci.’ The dark red brick, wood and copper of the buildings, and their abruptly varied roof shapes, seen through closely planted trees, visually link the whole group to the rugged landscape.
This afternoon is dedicated to visiting the new Aalto2 Museum Centre which opened in 2023. Designed by A-Konsultit Architects, the centre comprises three buildings: the renovated Alvar Aalto Museum, the Museum of Central Finland, and the new addition of the Aalto2 centre. Within the museum we may view displays of architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware, documenting the rapid economic growth and industrialisation that Finland experienced during the first half of the 20th century. (Overnight Jyväskylä) BL
Seinäjoki - 1 night
Day 9: Wednesday 24 September, Jyväskylä – Petäjävesi – Seinäjoki
- Petäjävesi Old Church, Petäjävesi
- Lunch at Hotel Alma, Seinäjoki
- The Aalto Centre: guided tour, Seinäjoki
This morning we drive west towards Seinäjoki with a stop on the way in Petäjävesi, where the UNESCO World Heritage Old Church is located. Built in the 1760s for a small Lutheran parish, it was the town’s main church until 1879 when the new church was built. From the time when the new church started to be used, the old church was completely abandoned and consequently its preservation was ensured due to minimal interference from heating systems and other modifications. Features of the Petäjävesi Old Church include the steep pitched roof recalling the Gothic tradition, the interior’s hand-carved log surfaces with their silky patina and the silvery sheen on the seasoned walls, the elaborately carved pulpit, pews, chandeliers, and galleries with balustrades, which are entirely the work of local craftsmen and artists.
Upon arrival in Seinäjoki, we enjoy lunch at Hotel Alma. This refurbished building, just over a century old, was formerly a meeting point for railroad workers. Standing on the Hotel’s terrace, you can view the famous silhouette of Lakeuden Risti, a modern church designed by Alvar Aalto.
This afternoon, we visit the Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki, an internationally unique architectural complex, comprised of six buildings and Kansalaistori, the ‘Citizens’ Square’, built in 1988. Our walking tour takes us to four of the buildings designed by Alva Aalto: Lakeuksien Risti Church, City Hall, the Theatre and the Library. The church was designed by Aalto in response to a competition to find a church for a ‘small but rapidly evolving market town’. Then, there is the city hall, whose unique facade of dark blue ceramic tiles, designed by Aalto to be ‘that of the Seinäjoki Hall and of nowhere else’, is characteristic of a more diverse modernistic expression that Aalto developed later in his career. Next, we view the Seinäjoki theatre that Aalto designed in 1968, but was only completed almost 20 years later in 1987 under the supervision of Elissa Aalto. The façade is constructed of ceramic blocks. The airy foyer is furnished with Artek pieces and houses Aalto’s unique collection of bent wood reliefs. We finish the tour of the centre with the library, whose fan-shaped main room is the most striking feature. Light falls through the window slats casting beautiful shapes on the ceiling, walls and shelves. The restored Aalto-designed library was opened in May 2015. (Overnight Seinäjoki) BL
Turku - 2 nights
Day 10: Thursday 25 September, Seinäjoki – Noormarkku – Rauma – Turku
- Villa Mairea, Noormarkku: guided tour
- Lunch at Villa Tallbo, Rauma
- Old Rauma: walking tour
A scenic drive through the sparsely populated Noormarkku region brings us to Villa Mairea, an Alvar Aalto masterpiece of 20th-century architectural design. This villa is representative of the stage in Aalto’s career when he was moving from reduced functionalism to more organic but modern architectural expression in the late 1930s. It was built for Maire and Harry Gullichsen, a wealthy and open-minded couple, friends of Aalto. The couple was so supportive of Aalto’s modern design, that whilst the early stages of the building were being completed, they were convinced by Aalto to accept a hurried new project that was based on the concept of a continuous 250-square-metre living space, intended to resemble the limitless space of nature. This would accommodate all the collective functions of the house as well as the owner’s art collections.
We stop for lunch in Rauma, one of the oldest harbours in Finland, and then take a walking tour through Old Rauma. This UNESCO World Heritage medieval town is one of the finest examples of a Nordic city constructed in wood. (Overnight Turku) BL
Day 11: Friday 26 September, Turku – Kustavi – Paimio – Turku
- Architecture walking tour of Turku: Alvar Aalto & Erik Bryggman
- Haroma & Partners’ Summer Villa, Kustavi
- Guided tour of Paimio Sanatorium
We begin this morning with an architecture walking tour of Turku following the steps of Alvar Aalto and Eryk Bryggman. Alvar Aalto resided in Turku between 1927 and 1933. During this time Turku played a significant role in the emergence of new architecture and furniture design. The tour includes exterior visits to three transitional works of Aalto’s functionalism: the Maalaistentalo, the Turun Sanomat as well as the Standard apartment building. Having established his own office here in Turku at the beginning of the 1920’s, Erik Bryggman was one of the earliest representatives of functionalism in Finnish architecture. Among others, the tour presents his Hotel Hospits, Atrium, Seurahuone and the Sampo building.
After the tour we drive a short distance west of Turku to Kustavi, an archipelago made up of over two thousand islands. We will visit one of the ‘Summer Villas’ designed by Haroma & Partners, a small architecture firm established in 2004 and winners of ‘house of the day’ in Modern House in 2015. This Summer Villa is a private seaside residence only accessible by a short boat trip.
After our visit to the Summer Villas, we stop for picnic lunch on the shores of one of Kustavi’s many islands.
On the opposite side of Turku lies Paimio, where Alvar Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium was built as an isolation hospital for tuberculosis patients in the 1920s. Winning an award for the design of this hospital at the age of 30, this design helped Aalto prove himself as an innovative and radical man with a social conscience. The design shows that Aalto had a profound concern for the diverse physical and psychological needs of patients with tuberculosis. Considerable emphasis was laid upon the peacefulness of the environment, hygiene and user comfort as well as humane, sustainable solutions. (Overnight Turku) BL
Helsinki - 2 nights
Day 12: Saturday 27 September, Turku – Fiskars – Kirkkonummi – Helsinki
- Antrei Hartikainen – Designer/Master cabinetmaker, Fiskars
- Karin Widnäs – Ceramic artist, Fiskars
- Villa Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi
- Dinner at Finnjävel’s Sali Restaurant designed by Ateljé Sotamaa
This morning we depart Turku for Helsinki. En route we visit the studio of Antrei Hartikainen, a master cabinetmaker and designer known for his exquisite works in wood. He was awarded young designer of the year in 2018 by Design Forum Finland. Most recently he was longlisted for Dezeen Awards 2022 emerging design studio of the year. His award-winning pieces including functional products and art works, are sensual and elegant.
Nearby we visit the studio home of versatile and prolific ceramicist Karin Widnäs. Designed by architect professor Tuomo Siitonen, the house is a harmonious blend of local timber, Widnäs’s ceramics, clean lines, and natural light, attracting international acclaim. Widnäs’s talent extends beyond her studio, as she has also crafted a bespoke dinner service for The Savoy Restaurant, a Helsinki institution and culinary gem. A long-time admirer of Alvar Aalto’s work and vision, Widnäs even incorporates his principles into her ceramic fountains, further illustrating her deep connection to both art and design.
After lunch we visit Villa Hvitträsk which was built at the beginning of the 20th century and designed in the National Romantic style. This villa was home to architects Eliel Saarinen and Armas Lindgren, and was visited by esteemed figures such as Jean Sibelius, Axel Gallen-Kallela and Maksim Gorki.
Tonight we dine at Finnjävel’s Sali Restaurant designed by Ateljé Sotamaa. (Overnight Helsinki) BD
Day 13: Sunday 28 September, Helsinki
- Visit Studio Kukkapuro: studio home of designer Yrjö Kukkapuro (to be confirmed in 2025)
- Guided tour of Didrichsen Art Museum
- Amos Rex Art Museum
- Time at leisure
- Farewell Dinner at Passio
This morning we drive to the outskirts of Helsinki to visit Studio Kukkapuro – the studio and home of furniture designer Yrjö Kukkapuro and wife Irmeli Kukkapuro, a graphic artist. Designed through the collaboration of Kukkapuro and an engineer friend, Studio Kukkapuro is a remarkable 2150 square-foot studio and home that is entirely open-planned. Its defining feature is the unusual parabolic roofline, fabricated from eight-centimetre thick concrete. The roofline angles down to the ground in three places, acting as both roof and walls of the structure. The studio home is completed by seamless rows of windows, which connect the studio home effortlessly with its natural surroundings. We enjoy an exclusive visit to the studio home, where we can explore the countless examples of Kukkapuro furniture designs. Designed in 1969, Kukkapuro’s Remmi chair blends minimalism with ergonomic comfort and remains the best music listening chair in the world.
Next, we take a guided tour of the Didrichsen Art Museum. Located on Kuusisaari island in Helsinki, the Didrichsen Art Museum is a unique combination of an art museum and a private villa by the seaside. Villa Didrichsen was designed by Viljo Revell, who worked as Alvar Aalto’s assistant in the world exhibition in Paris and whose influences included the well-known modernist architect, Swiss-French Le Corbusier.
In the afternoon we take an architectural tour of Amos Rex, a multi-award winning art museum by architecture firm JKMM. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner at Passio, an innovative restaurant serving tasting menus described as Scandinavian food paired with French cuisine, amid retro-chic surroundings. (Overnight Helsinki) BD
Day 14: Monday 29 September, Depart Helsinki
- Tour concludes in the morning
- At leisure/Check out
Our tour ends in Helsinki after breakfast. In the morning you will be required to check out of the hotel. Please contact ASA if you require assistance with a transfer to Helsinki Airport. B
Accommodation
ASA has selected a range of 4-star hotels that are themselves historical buildings and/or are located in historical centres. All hotels provide rooms with en suite bathroom. Further information on hotels will be provided in the ‘Tour Hotel List’ given to tour members prior to their departure.
- Helsinki (6 nights): 4-star Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna – designed for the Summer Olympics by architect Erkki Huttunen, this functionalist Vaakuna building is located close to Helsinki Central Station.
- Jyväskylä (2 nights): 4-star Boutique Yöpuu Hotel – a unique hotel, centrally located and housed in a historical stone building. Features Restaurant Pöllöwaari.
- Seinäjoki (1 night):4-star Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna – located close to Market Square, this recently refurbished hotel features a guest sauna.
- Turku (2 nights): 4-star Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel – overlooking the Aura river in central Turku, this eco-friendly hotel features Baroque style bedrooms.
- Helsinki (2 nights): 4-star Hotel Helka – a stylish hotel located close to the Helsinki design district featuring decor by Artek and other Finnish designers.
Note: Hotels are subject to change, in which case a hotel of similar standard will be provided.
Single Supplement
Payment of this supplement will ensure accommodation in a single-occupancy room throughout the tour. In most hotels, this will be a double/twin room for single occupancy, except in Jyväskylä, where accommodation will be in a single room for 2 nights. The number of rooms available for single occupancy is extremely limited. People wishing to take this supplement are therefore advised to book well in advance.
How to Book
ASA RESERVATION APPLICATION FORM
Please complete the ASA RESERVATION APPLICATION and send it to Australians Studying Abroad together with your non-refundable deposit of AUD $1000.00 per person payable to Australians Studying Abroad.
Practical Information
The number of flags is a guide to the degree of difficulty of ASA tours relative to each other (not to those of other tour companies). It is neither absolute nor literal. One flag is given to the least taxing tours, seven to the most. Flags are allocated, above all, according to the amount of walking and standing each tour involves. Nevertheless, all ASA tours require that participants have a good degree of fitness enabling 2-3 hours walking or 1-1.5 hours standing still on any given site visit or excursion. Many sites are accessed by climbing slopes or steps and have uneven terrain.
This 14-day Architecture and Design Tour of Finland involves:
- Exploring Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki and Turku on foot.
- Extensive walking (up to 5km per day) and standing during museum and other site visits. Walking tours may include steep slopes, flights of stairs, cobbled streets and uneven ground.
- Regular use of Helsinki’s public transport system.
- You must be able to carry your own hand luggage. Hotel porterage includes 1 piece of luggage per person.
- 4-star hotels with four hotel changes.
It is important to remember that ASA programs are group tours, and slow walkers affect everyone in the group. As the group must move at the speed of the slowest member, the amount of time spent at a site may be reduced if group members cannot maintain a moderate walking pace. ASA tours should not present any problem for active people who can manage day-to-day walking and stair-climbing. However, if you have any doubts about your ability to manage on a program, please ask your ASA travel consultant whether this is a suitable tour for you.
Please note: it is a condition of travel that all participants agree to accept ASA’s directions in relation to their suitability to participate in activities undertaken on the tour, and that ASA retains the sole discretion to direct a tour participant to refrain from a particular activity on part of the tour. For further information please refer to the ASA Reservation Application Form.
Prior to departure, tour members will receive practical notes which include information on visa requirements, health, photography, weather, clothing and what to pack, custom regulations, bank hours, currency regulations, electrical appliances and food. The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade website has advice for travellers: www.smartraveller.gov.au
Tour Price & Inclusions
AUD $9990.00 Land Content Only – Early-Bird Special: Book before 30 September 2024
AUD $10,190.00 Land Content Only
AUD $1890.00 Single Supplement
Tour Price (Land Content Only) includes:
- Accommodation in twin-share rooms with en suite bathroom in 4-star hotels.
- Breakfast daily, lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary, where: B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner
- Drinks at welcome and farewell meals. Other meals may not have drinks included.
- Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at the hotel, except at the Hotel Helka, where porterage is not included
- Lecture and site visit program
- Public transport in Helsinki as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Use of audio headsets during site visits
- Tips for the coach driver, local guides and restaurants for included meals
Tour Price (Land Content Only) does not include:
- Airfare: Australia-Helsinki, Helsinki-Australia
- Airport-hotel transfers
- Personal spending money
- Luggage in excess of 20kg (44lbs)
- Travel insurance
- Porterage at Hotel Helka
Tour Map
Gallery
Deposits
A non-refundable deposit of $1000.00 AUD per person is required to reserve a place on this ASA tour.
Cancellation Fees
If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply:
- More than 75 days before departure: your initial deposit of $1000.00 is non-refundable.**
- 75-31 days prior 50% of total amount due
- 30-0 days prior 100% of total amount due
**$500.00 of this amount (ie 50% of your deposit) may be credited to another ASA tour departing within 12 months of the original tour you booked. We regret, in this case early-bird discounts will not apply.
We take the day on which you cancel as being that on which we receive written confirmation of cancellation.
Unused Portions of the Tour
We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions of the tour, such as meals, entry fees, accommodation, flights or transfers.
Will the Tour Price or Itinerary Change?
If the number of participants on a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates ASA reserves the right to amend the advertised price. We shall, however, do all in our power to maintain the published price. If an ASA tour is forced to cancel you will get a full refund of all tour monies paid. Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of ASA make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make amendments to daily itineraries. We will inform you of any changes in due course.
Travel Insurance
ASA requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. A copy of your travel insurance certificate and the reverse charge emergency contact phone number must be received by ASA no later than 75 days prior to the commencement of the tour.
Final Payment
The balance of the tour price will be due 75 days prior to the tour commencement date.
Limitation of Liability
ASA is not a carrier, event or tourist attraction host, accommodation or dining service provider. All bookings made and tickets or coupons issued by ASA for transport, event, accommodation, dining and the like are issued as an agent for various service providers and are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by each service provider. ASA is not responsible for their products or services. If a service provider does not deliver the product or service for which you have contracted, your remedy lies with the service provider, not ASA.
ASA will not be liable for any claim (eg. sickness, injury, death, damage or loss) arising from any change, delay, detention, breakdown, cancellation, failure, accident, act, omission or negligence of any such service provider however caused (contingencies). You must take out adequate travel insurance against such contingencies.
ASA’s liability in respect of any tour will be limited to the refund of amounts received from you less all non-refundable costs and charges and the costs of any substituted event or alternate services provided. The terms and conditions of the relevant service provider from time to time comprise the sole agreement between you and that service provider.
ASA reserves the sole discretion to cancel any tour or to modify itineraries in any way it considers appropriate. Tour costs may be revised, subject to unexpected price increases or exchange rate fluctuations.
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