Berliinin Pfefferbergissä sijaitseva Aedes Architecture Forum kuuluu maailman tunnetuimpiin ja arvostetuimpiin arkkitehtuurikeskuksiin. Aedesin näyttelytiloissa avattiin 5.9.2025 näyttely Helin & Co, Heart and Horizon, Helsinki. Se on esillä 15.10.2025 asti.
Aloite Helin & Co:n näyttelylle tuli Berliinistä, teemaksi Aedes ehdotti muutoksia Helsingin kaupunkirakenteessa. Alla otteita Julia Schlütsmeier-Hagen laatimasta Aedesin lehdistötiedotteesta.
The greatest influence of Helsinki has always been the open sea and the countless islands and peninsulas that structure the flat city landscape. This special relationship between the city and the horizon is central to understanding Helsinki and its architecture.
Today, Helsinki is part of a polycentric metropolitan region that includes Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. The transformation of this region into a modern metropolis has been underway for decades – particularly visible where water is being reintegrated into urban life. It is here in particular that it becomes clear how closely ‘heart’ and ‘horizon’ are linked in the architectural thinking of Helin & Co: places that are created for people and at the same time open up new perspectives for the city. In the former harbour, along new promenades and at central transport hubs, neighbourhoods have emerged that combine living, working, culture, commerce and leisure in close spatial proximity.
For over two decades, Helin & Co has been actively shaping the transformation of Helsinki. Helin & Co is known for its sustainable and inspiring architecture, thoughtful design solutions and the harmonious integration of buildings into their existing surroundings. Its architecture follows the human scale, pays attention to sustainability and responds sensitively to the context – whether in urban densification projects or in landscape-oriented wooden architecture. This reflects the Heart and Horizon approach on both a small and large scale: proximity to people and a broad view of urban development. Time and again, they create unexpected and inspiring tectonic elements in their buildings that contribute to their uniqueness. Their projects – from master plans to carefully designed individual buildings – show that urban density, ecological materials and a high quality of life can be combined. Especially in the centre of Helsinki, they have created places that combine mobility, urban life and built identity.
Architecture as work for the future
Helin & Co sees architecture as a long-term responsibility. Its buildings are designed to be flexible so that they can respond to changing functions. Recent social developments – changing working models, the conversion of office space, smaller apartments, growing demands on public spaces – are reflected in its projects. With their work, Helin & Co have not only shaped Helsinki's image as a maritime, modern metropolis. They have created spaces that enrich everyday life, strengthen the urban space and draw international attention to a city that is confidently shaping its future between the sea, nature and urban densification.
Exhibition design
The exhibition itself is spread across both exhibition rooms at Aedes. One room presents the three major key projects in Kamppi, Kalasatama and Sello with the help of numerous photographs, plans and models. The second room showcases other projects of various types, from residential buildings to a metro station, illustrating how Helin & Co has been creating architecture for the people of Helsinki since its foundation. Cinematic drone footage provides insights into how the projects are embedded in their respective environments.
