Designs for a Cooler Planet

Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition will be held again in the autumn of 2026

Thought-provoking prototypes, experiments and perspectives

Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition, Designs for a Cooler Planet, showcases students’ and researchers’ experimental and creative projects aimed at a more sustainable future. The 2026 call for applications will open soon. In the meantime, you can explore last year’s edition, browse past exhibitions, and start preparing your submission.

For more information on how to apply, please visit our FAQ page.

Miniature bathroom set with a small brown seal on a white surface. Pink fabric is draped in the background.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Five vintage Nokia mobile phones on white pedestals with a yellow background and geometric light patterns.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Scientific study setup: Petri dishes with samples, shells.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Two stacked stone blocks surrounded by small grey pebbles, a glass dish filled with pebbles on the right.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

View looking up at tree branches with fresh green leaves against a bright blue sky.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

A hand holding a beige slip-on shoe, removing the insole from the inside. The background is plain white.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Modern atrium in an office building with two dark metal diagonal beams, large windows, and people wearing safety gear.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

A modern wooden building with large windows is nestled among tall pine trees in a rocky landscape.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

In a park-like setting, a researcher helps a participant put on a mobile imaging device. The device captures data such as eye movements and pupil reactions to assess risks related to memory functions.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Modern black wooden house with a single narrow window, surrounded by rocks and plants, nestled in a leafy forest area.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

An art installation featuring two discarded doors, one orange with 'ULOS' sign, the other blue with a glass panel.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

A sculptural structure made of brown cardboard tubes stands against a light background. Around it are circular, light and brownish discs grown from mycelium.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

A technical drawing of a four-storey building with sectional view on the left and elevation view on the right.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Person lying on grass wearing yellow shirt with white text and black-and-white checked jacket.

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Aalto University: Slush 2024 Photo by Kristian Presnal

5 Sept – 28 Oct | Exhibition

Floating Reverlast dock and barrel sauna by the waterfront, with rocky shoreline and pathway in the foreground, trees on the right, and clouds in a blue sky.

See the Reverlast dock and rent the student-maintained floating sauna at Otaranta 9, Espoo.

BioMakerStudio course outcome, Advanced Architecture Group IAAC

11–12 Sept at Aalto University Väre building, the exhibition showcases materials and solutions that reimagine our relationship with nature.

Poster for Aalto ARTS Grad Show held from 3 Sept to 6 Oct with abstract black and white design.

Explore the inspiring work of our graduating students in architecture, design, film, art and media!

The exhibition, held 5 Sept – 24 Oct at Ventura Studio, Espoo, presents poetic, practical, and regenerative art and design.

In the center, a wooden green chair with a person standing on it, only their legs visible. They are wearing worn, brownish wool socks with orange toes. The text "Love letters to our clothes" appears in white at the center of the image, the exhibition location "Beta Space Gallery" on the left, and the dates "1.9.–18.9." on the right.

At Beta SPACE Gallery, 1–18 Sept, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on their emotional connection to clothing.

In addition to the exhibition, Designs for a Cooler Planet offers a series of inspiring events that open up new perspectives on world-changing solutions. During September and October you can take part in panel discussions, workshops, film screenings and guided tours. These talks and tales enrich the exhibition experience by deepening the themes of the featured projects and showcasing other fascinating research at Aalto University.

All events are free of charge and held in English at Aalto University campus (Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo) unless otherwise stated.

6 Sept at 15:00–16:00 | Workshop & Exhibition visit at Venturo Studio, Tapionpuisto, Espoo

Poster for Artpreneurship – Reimagining the Role of Artistic Creativity in Business event

11 Sept at 13:00–17:00  | Keynote & Panel

The event name "Warmer Designs for a Cooler Planet" and event details in black text on a pink background.

11 Sept at 17:00–19:00 | Workshop at Studio Falda, Hämeentie 2, Helsinki

16 Sept at 17:00–18:35 | EVENT IN FINNISH | Hybrid lecture: Sipi Seisko, Kirsi Niinimäki & Katri Kauppi, hosted by Anniina Valtonen.

Abstract gradient with smooth transitions between red, blue, green, and yellow.

22 Sept at 16:30–18:30 | Talks: Frank Martela, Marjo-Riitta Diehl, Niina Nurmi and Satu Rekonen. Moderated by Anna Kevätsalo.

Interior of a wooden barn with open doors, showing a green tractor parked inside, and a snowy landscape outside.

23 Sept at 10:00–15:00 | IN FINNISH | Seminar & Site tour at Kaupunkiympäristötalon Auditorio, Työpajankatu 8, Helsinki.

25 Sept at 13:00–16:00 | Hybrid seminar

Geometric pattern in blue and orange with 'IHMEMATERIAALIT' in blue and yellow text on a light beige background.

26 Sept at 15:30–17:00 | EVENT IN FINNISH | Talk & Workshop for 9 to 12-year-olds

The famous Yick Cheong building complex of Hong Kong, image showcasing the building density in the city.

2 Oct at 13:00–18:00 | Seminar

2 Oct at 15:00–16:30 | EVENT IN FINNISH | Panel & Guided tour to exhibition

A person in red and white attire swimming underwater. Text: Radical Creatives in bright orange letters.

2 Oct at 16:45–17:45 | A document directed by Emilia Hernesniemi

Shaping Tomorrow with Smart and Living Materials

3 Oct at 14:00–17:00 | Talk & Workshop at Väre, F102, Otaniementie 14, Espoo

7 Oct at 17:00–19:00 | EVENT IN FINNISH | Talk

Text 'SUSTAINABILITY ACTION EXPO' with date '7.10.' on a background with blurry pink, orange, and yellow shapes.

7 Oct at 18:15–21:15  | Networking for students at Design Factory Stage

Uudistajat live podcast, guests Annu Nieminen, Tuomas Syrjänen, and Charlotte Guillou

10 Oct at 14:00–16:00 | Event in Finnish | Live podcast

Text 'Tutkimuksen matka arkeen' in white on blue background with white clouds, repeated in perspective.

14 Oct at 17:00–18:35 | EVENT IN FINNISH | Hybrid lecture

Close-up of a quantum computer with multiple gold-coloured circular components and vertical rods.

15 Oct at 16:00–17:00 | Talks

Better Business – Better Society: Markkinointi tänään

21 Oct at 17:00–18:30 | EVENT IN FINNISH | Hybrid seminar

A man sits at the desk of a Tiny House, writing notes, surrounded by a kitchen counter, dishes, and glass shelves. Photo: Nina Kellokoski.

This podcast explores recent sustainability trends and developments in architecture and living.

Underwater scene with a diver and the text 'Diving into radical creativity'.

In this course, you will learn what radical creativity is and how to apply it at both individual and organizational levels.

Immerse yourself in organisational renewal, listen to experts’ insights, and discover ideas that drive change.

See what we exhibited in 2024

The people behind the 2025 edition

Designs for a Cooler Planet wouldn’t be what it is without the people who have worked behind the scenes to bring it to life. From shaping the vision to selecting exhibition projects, communications and visual identity, the 2025 edition has been built through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Get to know the contributors below.

Enni Äijälä
Artistic lead and project management
Senior communications specialist, outreach and design
+358 50 359 4810
enni.aijala@aalto.fi

Katja Rönkkö
Communications lead
katja.ronkko@aalto.fi

Minna Hölttä
Lead text editor
minna.holtta@aalto.fi

Marianne Lenoir
Lead graphic designer

2025 project team:
Emilia Lonka, Exhibition designer
Diana Lisitsa, Graphic designer
Mari Ojala, Communications coordinator

The main responsibility for the exhibition lies with the Aalto University's communications services. Designs for a Cooler Planet is one of the annual flagship events organised by the Partnership and Corporate Relations team (ADCO) and the Aalto Networking Platform. Additionally, the event involves the Leadership Support Services, Innovation Ecosystem Services and Aalto Takeout.

Cooler Planet ambassador:
Jyri Hämäläinen, Vice president for Research

Jury:
Paula Haikarainen, Managing Editor, Aalto University Magazine, CoS
Minna Hölttä, Managing Editor, CoS
Jussi Impiö, Senior Specialist, Sustainable Solutions
Kate Jurva, Senior Manager, Content and Media, Cos
Katja Lahti, Senior Specialist, Impact communications, CoS
Pirita Posti, Manager, Corporate Relations, ARTS
Tiina Toivola, Senior Manager, Campus Experience , CoS
Salu Ylirisku, Senior University Lecturer, ELEC
Enni Äijälä, Senior Communications Specialist, Outreach and design, CoS

Partners

Designs for a Cooler Planet is also part of Helsinki Design Week and the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative.

Helsinki Design Week is the largest design festival in the Nordic countries. Held annually in September, the festival presents new designers and multidisciplinary phenomena, promotes design internationally in collaboration with various organisations, and provides a platform for citizens to participate in the development and discussion of the city through design. Collaboration with Aalto University brings the academic voice and multidisciplinary way of doing to that discussion.

New European Bauhaus is an initiative launched by the European Commission to develop new policies that reduce the carbon and material footprint of housing and construction and promote human and natural well-being. The aim is to create a new European way of life and attractive societies that work in harmony with nature, and to bring the European Green Deal into our living environments. Aalto University is a partner in the New European Bauhaus initiative.

More about New European Bauhaus in aalto.fi:

New European Bauhaus at Aalto University

Vibrant living environments are created through more inclusive, sustainable and aesthetic design