Habitare Materials & Objects is bringing Finnish design to Milan Design Week this April
On show at Alcova, Habitare Materials & Objects puts sustainable design centre stage at the revered Alcova showcase for the second time
There’s something about a material that begs to be touched. Whether it’s the warmth of wood or the coolness of stone, materiality isn’t just about looks; it’s about feel. This April, the Finns are inviting us to touch, play and experiment at Habitare Materials & Objects, a participatory exhibition and temporary material library, on show at Milan Design Week from 7th until 13th April.
As part of the Alcova showcase – one of the hottest tickets in Milan’s design circuit – the event will present a selection of Finnish companies and designers who champion ethical and sustainable materials, processes and practices. Returning after a successful debut in 2023, this year’s edition will go beyond surfaces, with the introduction of Objects, a collection of furniture and lighting pieces that exemplify Finnish craftsmanship and that prioritise ethical material solutions.
Curated by Maria Klemetti Laine and Jussi Laine of NEMO Architects, the materials library will feature exhibitors like Fiberwood, Durat and VM Carpet, alongside rising designers Fanni Laukkanen, an Aalto University graduate, and Roosa Ryhänen whose quirky and collectible design objects were in show during last year’s Habitare fair.
Set against the industrial backdrop of Ex Snia, a former viscose factory Habitare Materials & Objects offers a platform for Finnish companies and designers to present their work on an international stage, proving that well-made, thoughtful materials and objects – much like the humanist designs of Finnish icons including Alvar Aalto – stand the test of time.
The Habitare Materials & Objects exhibition will be presented as part of Alcova during Milan Design Week from 7 to 13 April 2025. Habitare, Finland’s leading furniture, design and interior decoration event, will be held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 10 to 14 September 2025
Photography courtesy of Habitare Materials and by Sara Urbanski, Christian Jakowleff and Ilkka Saastamoine