HAPPINESS – Exhibition and Symposium
Saturday 6 September 12pm–8pm
Sunday 7 September 12pm–6pm
Monday 8 September 12pm–6pm
Tuesday 9 September 12pm–6pm
Wednesday 10 September 12pm–8pm
Thursday 11 September 12pm–8pm
Friday 12 September 12pm–9pm
Saturday 13 September 12pm–9pm
Sunday 14 September 12pm–6pm
Day Ticket € 15 / 7,50
Festival Card (incl. Symposium, Helsinki Design Night ja PechaKucha Night) €35
At the heart of Suomitalo is the main exhibition, curated in 2025 by curator, researcher, and educator Anniina Koivu. Under her curation, Designing Happiness asks whether happiness can be designed.
“I believe the Designing Happiness exhibition celebrates Helsinki Design Week’s anniversary by asking what actually creates happiness in our body and brain. It then goes on to question whether happiness can be designed, showcasing design examples, immersive experiences and critical reflections on the science of happiness,” Koivu explains.
The exhibition begins with a scientifically researched mix that scientists call the “happiness cocktail” – a combination of four key hormones: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins, which regulate the brain and nervous system’s response to various stimuli.
These hormones are triggered by things such as light, music, exercise, nature, smiles, and laughter – as well as specific foods like sugar. Social rituals, acts of kindness and altruism also boost their production.
Participants in the exhibition include: Eero Aarnio, Erwan Bouroullec, Achille Castiglioni Foundation, Com-pa-ny, Stefano Giovannoni, Thélonious Goupil, Isabel+Helen, Chris Kabel, Jacob Kouthoofd Martensson, Frederik Mahler-Andersen, Paula Pääkkönen, Adrien Rovero, Brynjar Sigurdarson, Oiva Toikka and Clara von Zweigbergk.
A symposium inspired by the exhibition will take place on Thursday, 12 September. Speakers will be announced in August.
