Habitare Design Competition 2025
The Habitare Design Competition 2025, a collaborative initiative by Habitare and Aalto University, has officially opened its call for entries. Now in its 21st iteration, the competition sets its sights on the theme of Domestic Islands.
Participants are invited to envision and construct a home island – a sanctuary focused on respite, creative leisure, and relaxation within the domestic environment. The core objective is to design for the tactile experiences of unwinding, creative downtime, and rest. Entries must resonate with the Habitare 2025 Touch theme, exploring our fundamental need to experience, touch, and feel.
The competition challenges participants to explore the possibilities of finding islands of rest and recovery within the home. It prompts a departure from the traditional sofa or armchair, questioning where true relaxation can be found. Alternatively, it encourages a re-evaluation of conventional domestic resting furniture, pushing for designs that are more tactile, human-centric, and personal. The competition embraces an open-minded approach, encouraging interdisciplinary teams to participate.
Organization:
The Habitare Design Competition is organized annually by Messukeskus and Aalto University.
Eligibility:
The competition is open to individuals studying design and architecture in Finland, students from the University of the Arts Helsinki, or student teams. There is no restriction on team size
The jury for the first
Professor at Aalto University Pentti Kareoja,
Industrial designer and Lecturer at Aalto University Simo Puintila
Designer and Professor at Aalto University Tomek Rygalik.
Jury Chair:
Päivi Helander, Creative Lead at Habitare and Lecturer at Aalto University.
Deadline:
Päivi Helander, Creative Lead at Habitare and Lecturer at Aalto University.
Finalist Selection:
The jury will select the finalists, whose designs will be showcased at Habitare, held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from September 10th to 14th, 2025.
Announcement of Winners:
The overall winner will be chosen by the main jury, to be announced at a later date. The winner will be revealed on the opening day of Habitare, September 10, 2025.
Prize:
The grand prize for the Habitare Design Competition 2025 is €5,000, generously donated by the Finnish Fair Foundation.
How to Enter:
Instructions on how to participate in the competition can be found (participation requirements)
Key Dates:
Competition Open: Now Open
First Phase Submission Deadline: April 25, 2025, 16:00
Habitare Exhibition: September 10-14, 2025,Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
Winner Announcement: September 10, 2025
