Stockholm Exhibition (1930)

The Stockholm Exhibition (1930), also known as the Stockholm International Exhibition, was a significant world's fair held in Stockholm, Sweden, from May to September 1930. Its primary purpose was to showcase modern architecture, design, and urban planning, significantly influencing the development of Swedish functionalism (Funkis) and modernism more broadly.

The exhibition was largely curated by Swedish architects Gunnar Asplund and Sven Markelius, with Asplund serving as the chief architect. It featured a striking architectural landscape characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and open spaces, emphasizing functionality and practicality over ornamentation. The pavilions were designed to be temporary structures, reflecting the exhibition's theme of progress and innovation.

Key highlights included the Paradise Restaurant, designed by Erik Gunnar Asplund, which served as a central gathering point and a symbol of the exhibition's modern aesthetic. Other notable contributions came from designers and artists who embraced the functionalist ideals, creating furniture, textiles, and everyday objects that prioritized simplicity and efficiency.

The Stockholm Exhibition (1930) is credited with popularizing functionalism in Sweden and helping to establish the country's reputation for innovative design. It had a lasting impact on Swedish architecture, urban planning, and industrial design, shaping the built environment and cultural landscape for decades to come. It also contributed to the wider acceptance of modernism in Scandinavia and internationally. The exhibition's emphasis on social and democratic values, combined with its aesthetic principles, helped to define the character of modern Swedish design.