Finnish furniture, interior decoration and design fair show Habitare's annual competition will require designers to implement their ideas for a private space intended for personal retreat, break, rest and relaxation. The Danish designer Boris Berlin has been invited to be the head judge of the competition, which is now held for the 11th time and organised by the Finnish Fair Corporation and the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The winner of the grand prize of €10,000 will be announced at Habitare in Helsinki on September 12. The finalists in the Design Competition will be presented at the Habitare at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre from September 12 to 16.

The contestants will be required to create the overall concept of a private space and related items from the point of view of artistry, architecture and design. The space and its structures are to be treated as a whole, covering both the inside and the outside. The judges will pay special attention to the artistry, architecture and design of the entries, their quality, sustainability and clarity, and their functional and structural characteristics.

The first phase of the competition ends on April 23. A panel of judges will choose 3 finalists from the entries, and these will be implemented on their own stands at the fair. Professor Helena Hyvönen from the Aalto University will be the chair of the panel of judges in the first phase. The members of the panel of judges are: architect, Professor Mikko Heikkinen; interior architect, Professor Jouko Järvisalo, the Aalto University; architect, Professor Pentti Kareoja, the Aalto University; programme manager Päivi Kukkamäki, the Finnish Fair Corporation; interior architect, designer Timo Sairi, the Aalto University; and designer, Professor Timo Salli, the Aalto University.

The theme and head judge of the Habitare Design Competition change every year. The most recent themes have included “Outhouse” (2011, winner Yoshimasa Yamada), “Recycled seat” (2010, winners Arttu Kuisma and Janne Melajoki) and “Sauna” (2009, winners Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen). Previous head judges include Mikko Heikkinen, Alfredo Häberli and Sami Rintala.

The Habitare furniture, interior decoration and design fair is organised annually. The next fair will take place from September 12 to 16. In conjunction with Habitare, the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre will host the Valo Light lighting event, the ArtHelsinki contemporary art fair and the Salon antique fair. All events can be accessed with the same ticket. The event is part of the official World Design Capital 2012 programme.

The competition programme and further information on the fair is also available online at www.habitare.fi/en.