Architecture Focus Day
Habitare Pro: Architecture Focus Day, 4 September 2026
On 4 September 2026, the Architecture Focus Day will offer a varied programme for anyone interested in architecture. Throughout the day, attendees will hear international keynote speeches, follow engaging discussions and take part in workshops. Archinfo is the content partner for the focus day.
Please note that advance registration is required for some parts of the theme day programme.
The New Architecture of the Circular Economy (in Finnish)
time: 10:15–11:00
venue: Habitare Pro Workshop
organiser: Ark magazine
Circular economy thinking is inevitably changing practices in the construction industry, but does it also bring with it a new kind of aesthetics? In a panel discussion led by editor-in-chief Kristo Vesikansa of Ark magazine, the participants reflect on whether this paradigm shift should be visible in architectural expression, and what kind of architecture emerges from recycled materials, the transformation of existing buildings, and the design of new structures that can be easily dismantled and reassembled.
Keynote: Lev Bratishenko – What can you do with the Venice Biennale?
time: 11:00–11:45
venue: Main Stage
organiser: Archinfo
The history of the Biennale isn’t told by its curatorial choices or declarations of intent. More important are arguments and ideologies, historical, political, and economic circumstances, and lots of accidents. The most intriguing pavilion projects take Venice as a problematic opportunity.
Lev Bratishenko works at The Cosmic House in London as Twister of Meaning. Among the formats he’s created is the Come and Forget series, which proposes benevolent acts of collective forgetting. Bratishenko was also the first Curator Public at the Canadian Centre for Architecture from 2016 to 2023.
Aalto Works – Finnish modern architecture as World Heritage
time: 12:00–12:45
venue: Main Stage
organiser: Alvar Aalto Foundation
The Finnish language event, hosted by Tommi Lindh, CEO of the Alvar Aalto Foundation, will introduce Aalto Works, the recent inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and discuss its international significance. Representatives of the sites included in the series of the thirteen Aalto sites forming Aalto Works will tell about cooperation, tourism, preservation, and topical issues concerning the Aalto legacy in Finland. The speakers include Mirkku Kullberg (Paimio Sanatorium), Heli Leinonkoski (City of Jyväskylä) ja Minna Sauramaa (Finlandia Hall).
Architect Spotlight Hour
time: 13:00–13:45
venue: Habitare Pro Workshop
organiser: Habitare Pro & Archinfo
This year we will pilot an event concept where architectural practices tell us about their work in short, three-minute pitches. The main language is English.
Featured architectural practices:
JADA Architects
Lukkaroinen Architects
Noon Architects
Taneli Mansikkamäki Architects
Partanen & Lamusuo
Studio Pirjo Sanaksenaho
Creative Pitch: Brands Meet Architects
time: 14:00–14:45
venue: Habitare Pro Workshop
organiser: Habitare Pro & Archinfo
Discover the latest design innovations in less than one hour! 12 top design companies will pitch their products in sharp, 3-minute presentations tailored for architects. Fast-paced, inspiring, and packed with ideas you can take straight into your projects. The main language is English.
The featured brands are: Svensson (Fabric), Made by hand (Lighting), Tunement (Sound), Sofalca/Gencork (Material), Axona AICHI (Furniture), Hiil (Material), Arktis Furniture (Furniture), Baude (Product Sourcing Platform), Jonas Ihreborn AB (Furniture), Ply Collection (Furniture), Creadeck (Furniture), and Junet (Furniture).
Discussion: Finland at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2027
time: 15:00–15:45
venue: Main Stage
organiser: Archinfo
The Biennale Architettura in Venice is the world’s most prestigious arena for presenting architecture and a forum for contemporary architectural discussion. At the 20th International Architecture Exhibition, the Finnish Pavilion will be curated by architect, curator Kaisa Karvinen.
In the discussion, we will hear insights to the making of the upcoming biennial exhibition. Discussing with Karvinen will be the exhibition’s content partner who will be announced at the end of August. The discussion is moderated by curator, critic Lev Bratishenko (Canada/UK), whose keynote speech on the history and significance of the Venice Architecture Biennale will be heard in the morning.
Archinfo, the Information Centre for Finnish Architecture, is responsible for the exhibitions of the Finnish Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
Prize Ceremony: Damy Tulevaisuus Awards
time: 16:00–17:00
venue: Habitare Pro Workshop
organiser: Friends of Architecture & Design Museum Helsinki, Damy
The Damy Tulevaisuus Award for young architects and designers celebrates the future talents of the built environment and introduces the graduating students’ inspiring viewpoints on sustainable resource-saving design and wellness enhancing culture.
Every two years the award is granted to maximum three theses projects in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture or design. In the event, the award finalists will present their thesis projects, after which the winner will be announced.
Some of the presentations will be held in English but the main language is Finnish.
Drinks & Mingle
time: 17:00–18:00
venue: Habitare Pro Workshop
organiser: Habitare Pro & Archinfo & Damy
The Architecture Focus Day ends in a celebration and spending some relaxed time together.
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