Finnish architecture practice Helin & Co, one of Northern Europe's leading architectural firms, has opened an exhibition from 6 September to 15 October 2025 at Aedes Berlin. 

The exhibition, titled Heart and Horizon, aims to show how the firm has become a key player in Helsinki's transformation into a modern metropolitan region for over 20 years. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

According to the architects, architecture is a work for the future that blends the human scale (called "Heart") with an ongoing interaction with the waterfront urban space (called "Horizon"). 

The company operates in a resource-efficient and context-sensitive manner. Combining practicality, urban vitality, and (archi-)tectonic accuracy is the main goal. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

This strategy is further demonstrated throughout the exhibition by three major projects: Kamppi Center is a connected urban neighborhood containing residential, cultural, and transportation nodes located in the center of Helsinki; Sello District core in Espoo is a multipurpose hub featuring a library, music school, and concert hall; Kalasatama Centre is a new urban core at the former harbour that blends density and vistas of the sea. Collectively, these spaces create an open, oceanic urban experience that integrates living, working, and culture in Helsinki. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Helsinki is not a typical European city with a castle from the Middle Ages or religious roots. Political choices, initially made by a Swedish monarch and then by Russian tsars, led to its establishment. 

The open sea, the Vantaa River, and the innumerable islands and peninsulas that form the flat city landscape have always had the biggest impact on the city, which was not founded as a civic or commercial metropolis but rather as a capital in a unique geopolitical situation between East and West awareness Helsinki and its architecture requires an awareness of this unique interaction between the city and the horizon. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Helsinki is currently a part of a polycentric metropolitan area that also includes the cities of Kauniainen, Vantaa, and Espoo. For many years, this area has been developing into a contemporary metropolis; this is especially evident in the areas where water is being reincorporated into urban life. 

Here in particular, it is evident how closely "heart" and "horizon" are related in Helin & Co.'s architectural philosophy: buildings designed for people while simultaneously offering fresh insights onto the metropolis. Communities that integrate living, working, culture, business, and leisure in close proximity have developed in the former harbor, along new promenades, and at significant transportation nodes. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Helin & Co. has been actively influencing Helsinki's change for more than 20 years. One of the key figures in Finnish building culture, the firm was founded in 1999 by Pekka Helin. Whether in landscape-oriented wooden architecture or urban densification projects, its architecture respects the human scale, considers sustainability, and reacts to the context with sensitivity. 

On both a small and large scale, this embodies the Heart and Horizon approach: being close to people and having a broad perspective on urban development. They consistently produce striking and surprising tectonic layouts that add to the buildings' individuality. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Their designs, which range from master plans to meticulously planned individual buildings, demonstrate that it is possible to integrate ecological materials, urban density, and a high standard of living. They have developed areas that blend built identity, urban life, and mobility, particularly in the heart of Helsinki.

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Architecture as work for the future 

For Helin & Co architecture is a long-term responsibility. Its structures are made to be adaptable in order to accommodate shifting needs. Its projects reflect recent societal shifts, such as shifting work models, office space conversion, smaller apartments, and increased demands for public areas. Helin & Co.'s contributions have influenced Helsinki's reputation as a contemporary, marine city. 

They have developed areas that improve daily living, fortify the city, and attract attention from across the world to a city that is boldly reshaping its future in relation to the sea, the environment, and urbanization. 

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Three key projects of transformation 

Among other things, the exhibition presents three larger urban areas that were significantly designed by Helin & Co: Kamppi Centre – In the heart of the city, this project connects several levels of public space: underground bus and metro stations, a new parking plateau, retail, offices and apartments. 

It ties in with existing cultural sites such as the Parliament building and integrates award-winning new buildings such as the Parliament annex and the UPM headquarters.

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Kalasatama Centre – High-rise buildings, public spaces and new leisure areas have been created here on the former harbour site, right on the waterfront. The project is a statement against land consumption in the surrounding area and shows how urban density can work in an attractive location.

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Sello District Centre – A multifunctional centre with a library, music school, concert hall and a wide range of services has been created in Espoo – at a central transport hub in the metropolitan region.

Image © Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

Exhibition design and media 

The actual display is dispersed over Aedes' two exhibition spaces. The three main projects in Kamppi, Kalasatama, and Sello are displayed in one room with the aid of a large number of pictures, blueprints, and models. 

Since its founding, Helin & Co. has been designing architecture for the people of Helsinki, as seen by the other projects in the second room, which range from residential structures to a metro station. 

Kalasatama Centre, Helsinki, FI. Image © Janne Hirvonen

The integration of the projects with their respective landscapes is revealed through cinematic drone video. Founder Pekka Helin created the chairs, and a book stand enables guests to peruse the many publications regarding the firm's work.

One of the top architectural firms in Northern Europe, Helin & Co. is renowned for its inspiring and sustainable architecture, careful design solutions, and the seamless integration of buildings into their natural environments. 

The impact of their work is attested to by the more than 70 honors and 40 national and international contests they have won. 

Postipuiston Tähti Residential, Helsinki, FI. Image © Tuukka Norri

Many of the designs created by Helin & Co. are found in homes and offices that people use on a daily basis. 

Their work does, however, cover a wide range of topics, including private residences, villas, furniture designs, transportation buildings, retail and multipurpose complexes, urban master plans and redevelopment projects, and public and cultural buildings. The company has also planned the restoration of a number of significant structures and historical sites. 

Sello District Centre, Espoo, FI. Image © Michael Perlmutter

Kamppi Centre, Helsinki, FI. Image © Michael Perlmutter

Kamppi Centre, Helsinki, FI. Image © Michael Perlmutter

UPM Biofore, Helsinki, FI. Image © Marc Goodwin

Annexe of the Finnish Parliament Building, Helsinki, FI. Image © Voitto Niemelä

Suomenlinna, Helsinki, FI. Image © Simo Rista

Exhibition facts

Exhibition name: Heart and Horizon

Exhibition: 6 September – 15 October 2025

Opening: Friday, 5 September 2025, 18:30

Venue: Aedes, Christinenstr. 18–19, 10119 Berlin

The top image in the article: Kalasatama Centre, Helsinki, FI © Janne Hirvonen. 

> via Aedes 

Aedas exhibition Helin & Co Helsinki