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DESIGNMUSEO - DESIGN MUSEUM IN HELSINKI

By 11:39 AM

Yesterday I had the chance to finally visit the Design Museum in Helsinki located in the fun Design District downtown. The building is located in the Kaartinkaupunki neighbourhood in Ullanlinna district, among the beautiful street of Korkevuorenkatu number 23 ever since 1873. Designed in a neo-Gothic style and by the famous architect Gustaf Nyström, its premises have first been used as a school, Brobergska Samskolan high-school, with the first graders in the current cafeteria and a gym on the second floor!



The building has started to be used as a museum since 1978 onwards holding exhibitions and collections of Finnish and foreign design (industrial, graphic and fashion). However always expect to find the Finnish design exhibition as it's part of the permanent collection. The museum holds more than 75,000 objects, 45,000 drawings and 125,000 pictures registering a total of 1000 designers.
The original collection, since 1873, was established by the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design for the needs of the past Craft School of Helsinki (currently Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture). The museum's first 700 objects were acquired at the Vienna World Fair in 1873. These objects are still to be spotted in the museum among the rest of the pieces by the different artists representing.

Before visiting the museum I had a look at their website and found out that this museum offers free entrance every last Tuesday of the month between 17-20:00! I couldn't miss the chance not going! So I had a look at the current exhibitions, The Century Of The Child and Design In China Now. 
Learning that The Century Of The Child exhibits Nordic design for children (from clothes, toys to advertisements), this exhibition exposes pieces from 1900 to 2000 as furniture, toys, books, wardrobe, architectural designs for public and playground areas, health care and other projects directed to children's aid (like the LIFESAVER portable tubes for water filtration). You can find different designers here as Alvar Aalto, Kay Bojesen, Tove Jansson among others.

My favorite piece, which if I am not mistaken is by Bryk Rut.

The other exhibition currently available at the Design Museum was also Design In China Now, exposing objects of Chinese design where you will see how tradition blends with high-quality modern procedures and materials (furniture, jewellery, etc). 

Wardrobe by different world-known designers
Having this said, reaching the museum around 17:00 sharp, I've started from downstairs with the ceiling lamps and ended playing a level of Angry Birds in the last section on first floor while reading about the Nokia phones and a funny ergonomic computer seat (Finns love their computer-time!).

Before reaching the museum, the walk to the premise itself has been truly enjoyable. You can reach through crossing to Korkeavuorenkatu from Esplanadi and just walking up straight. If you start your journey from Esplanadi then look for the Café-Kioski cabin, cross the street and follow the street up in front this cabin, that is Korkevuorenkatu.

However, don't expect a huge place! If you are coming with expectations from Louvre or Prado, this might be a little different than your illusions. Enjoy it and get yourself a lovely souvenir from the Design Shop in the first floor. There are truly interesting and original things, from books to easy-to-use sushi sticks only found here!

FEES:
- Adults 10e
- Pensioners 8e
- Students (have your student card with you) 5e
- Comprehensive School Pupils FREE
- Friend of Museum FREE
- Museum Card FREE
- Last Tuesday of the month between 17-20:00, FREE!

Enjoy!

About the Author

Welcome to New Helsinkian! Here is where we tell the stories of the city, where we advise you about the services in Helsinki and sometimes we also like indulging so be ready for some cooking and baking action! This is the official blog of Unique Helsinki Tours.

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