Experience the Super Weekend of Design - Aalto-Homes ja Loviisa Old Houses August 30-31

The last weekend of August on the east coast is a celebration of architecture, design, and interior decoration. On the same trip, you can visit both the Sunila Aalto homes in Kotka and Loviisa Old Houses.

At the Sunila Aalto Homes event, Alvar Aalto’s most extensive design project, the Sunila residential area, which is to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will open its doors to the public on August 30-31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can take a peek into 15 private homes in a maritime residential area dotted with unique white buildings, majestic pine trees, and extensive green areas.

On the same weekend, the idyllic town of Loviisa, with its century-old wooden houses and the families who lovingly care for them, welcomes visitors to marvel at its beauty. The owners of these old houses are united by their love of craftsmanship, design, and preserving beauty and atmosphere. Every detail and object has its own story and meaning, which they are happy to share with their guests. There are 42 houses to see, each one more beautiful than the last.

Alvar Aalto’s Sunila is World Famous

The Sunila residential area, known as a workers’ paradise, was completed in the 1930s and was once presented at world exhibitions in Paris and New York. Located on a forest slope by the sea, Sunila has become an icon of Aalto’s architecture. The complex also includes the Sunila pulp mill, also designed by Aalto and called the most beautiful factory in Finland.

The culturally and historically valuable Sunila and its treasures are admired even as far away as Asia. For example, Japanese professional soccer player and design enthusiast Atomu Tanaka fell so in love with Sunila that he moved there. Former Member of the European Parliament Nils Torvalds also lives in Sunila. Learn more about the residents of Sunila and their homes here.

Loviisa Old Houses 2025 is Full of Lovely Details

Diverse windows with varying pane divisions, moldings and patterned cutouts, corners and projections, columns, friezes, ornaments… The theme of the 2025 Loviisa Old Houses event challenges us to focus our gaze on the details, on the little subtleties found in buildings.

Everything that is characteristic of old buildings, which delights us and speaks of the expressive desire, ingenuity, skill, and diligence of the builders and developers of past generations… The spirit of the times, the “beautiful futility” that we have come to miss.

During the Old Houses event, you can also visit the old council chamber of Loviisa’s magnificent Town Hall and view its works of art. Be sure to visit the Plastic Fantastic exhibition at the Loviisa City Museum, which showcases the history of Finnish design and plastic. Many Finnish design classics manufactured in Loviisa are also on display.

Loviisa Old Houses, August 30–31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunila Aalto homes, August 30–31, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.