Finnish Architecture and Design Days 2026 will be celebrated on February 2–8. Their theme “Together” celebrates collaboration and the power of togetherness — architecture is designed, built, and used together. On February 3, Finnish flags will be raised in memory of Alvar and Aino Aalto, and of Finnish architecture and design. The festival around the flag day highlights the importance of architecture and design in our daily lives.

During the Architecture and Design Days the Alvar Aalto Foundation is arranging a programme of events in two cities. The Aalto2 Museum Centre in Jyväskylä will celebrate Alvar Aalto’s birthday on Tuesday, February 3 with an expert lecture and workshop. There will also be two drawing workshops in Studio Aalto in Munkkiniemi, Helsinki, on Saturday, February 7.

Jyväskylä:
Alvar Aalto’s Birthday, 11:00–18:00 on February 3

A workshop at 16:00–18:00 in the Alvar Aalto Museum will introduce participants to architect’s thinking and handiwork. Susanna Anttila, Conservation Architect at the Alvar Aalto Foundation, will present perspectives on design: How do we reconcile the built environment, the client’s wishes, and the architect’s ideas? How do we preserve existing buildings while living up to the original designer’s aims? In the workshop we will explore various ways of sketching, reflect on our experiences of space, and do a brief exercise to get a feel for the environment. The workshop will be in Finnish.

Free admission to the entire Aalto2 Museum Centre 11:00–18:00.

Helsinki:
Drawing Workshops in Studio Aalto, 10:00 and 12:00, February 7, in Finnish

Come and get to know the Aaltos in depth in a drawing workshop!

In these workshops arranged by the Alvar Aalto Foundation, you can unleash your creativity and be inspired by three pioneers of modernism: Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto. No previous sketching experience is required – everyone is welcome.

The workshops will begin with an introduction to the Aaltos’ design philosophy and their relationship to different materials. Participants will also have an opportunity to view some of the Aaltos’ sketches. It will then be time to draw: you can either design your own “future classic” or sketch the surrounding space.

All the necessary tools will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your favourite sketching materials (but please leave inks and charcoals at home). These 90-minute workshops will take place in the iconic Studio Aalto, free of charge. Only 15 seats are available per workshop, so book your place here. The workshop will be in Finnish.

Read more about the Architecture and Design Days here.

Together we have a more powerful voice! A number of architecture and design organisations drafted a joint proposal for the Flag Day for Architecture and Design on February 3, Alvar Aalto’s birthday, and founded the ArkMuoto Festival to promote it. The flag day for Alvar and Aino Aalto and Finnish architecture and design has been on Finland’s flag-day calendar since 2022.

The Finnish Architecture and Design Days are arranged by the eleven organisations who originally proposed the flag day: Archinfo; Alvar Aalto Foundation; Finnish Design Info; Architecture & Design Museum Helsinki; Ornamo; EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art; Association of Finnish Architects’ Offices ATL; Finnish Association of Architects SAFA; The Building Information Foundation RTS; Finnish Association of Landscape Architects MARK; and Finnish Association of Interior Architects SIO. 

Further information:
Helsinki:
Marketing and Customer Experience Specialist Kaari Freese
kaari.freese@alvaraalto.fi
+358 40 135 6210

Jyväskylä:
Educational Curator Lotta Leskelä
lotta.leskela@alvaraalto.fi
+358 400 254 708

 

Photos Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.