Helsinki: World Design Capital 2012

By Marianna Wahlsten and Hannah Brookes, www.grandtourmagazine.com

Updated 1602 GMT (0002 HKT) December 14, 2012

This <a href="http://www.k2s.fi/k2s.html">circular wooden structure</a> is a bold architectural statement in one of the busiest parts of Helsinki.
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Kamppi Chapel of Silence, Helsinki – This circular wooden structure is a bold architectural statement in one of the busiest parts of Helsinki.
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The new concert venue and music academy sits close to three of Helsinki's architectural monuments -- the neoclassical Parliament House, <a href="http://www.finlandiatalo.fi/en/" target="_blank">Finlandia Hall</a> (designed by Alvar Aalto) and <a href="http://www.kiasma.fi/kiasma_en">Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art</a>.
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Musiikkitalo concert venue – The new concert venue and music academy sits close to three of Helsinki's architectural monuments -- the neoclassical Parliament House, Finlandia Hall (designed by Alvar Aalto) and Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.
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The interior has great spatial rhythm with seven halls in different sizes.
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Musiikkitalo – The interior has great spatial rhythm with seven halls in different sizes.
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This <a href="http://www.mattolaituri.com/" target="_blank">cafe</a> has become one of the most popular spots along the seafront for a coffee break and for drinks on warm summer evenings. It opened last year and embodies the innovative attitude of the new city planning department.
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Mattolaituri cafe – This cafe has become one of the most popular spots along the seafront for a coffee break and for drinks on warm summer evenings. It opened last year and embodies the innovative attitude of the new city planning department.
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<a href="http://www.galerieforsblom.com/" target="_blank">Galerie Forsblom</a> has established itself as the largest gallery dealing in contemporary art in Scandinavia.
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Galerie Forsblom – Galerie Forsblom has established itself as the largest gallery dealing in contemporary art in Scandinavia.
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Story highlights

  • The Finnish capital is the World Design Capital 2012
  • City benefiting from forward-thinking planning, regenerating land and promoting contemporary architecture
  • Design highlights include the Kamppi Chapel of Silence and Musiikkitalo, a new concert venue
A city defined by the natural contours of the land, hugging the sea and pinpricked by rocky outcrops, Helsinki has be