Väre
Otaniementie 14
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Department of Architecture
The Department of Architecture at Aalto University is an internationally renowned education and research unit. With respect to Finland’s esteemed architectural heritage, we find solutions to the future challenges of construction. For decades, our teaching has maintained strong ties to the practical work undertaken at architecture firms.
To us, architecture is an art form that require practical knowledge, individual artistic development, as well as technical and economical knowledge regarding construction. We educate critical thinkers who accept their responsibility to research and design a socially, culturally and ecologically sustainable built environment.
Bachelor Programmes
Sisustusarkkitehtuuri, taiteen kandidaatti ja maisteri
Miten tilan atmosfääri syntyy? Miten rakennetun ympäristön kulttuurisia ja kestävän kehityksen arvoja edistetään suunnittelun keinoin?
Maisema-arkkitehtuuri, tekniikan kandidaatti ja maisema-arkkitehti
Maisema-arkkitehtuurissa yhdistyvät esteettisyys, ekologisuus ja toiminnallisuus. Monialaiset opinnot antavat hyvät valmiudet työelämään.
Arkkitehtuuri, tekniikan kandidaatti ja arkkitehti
Arkkitehtuurin pääaineen tarkoituksena on varmistaa, että opiskelija tuntee arkkitehtonisen suunnittelun perusteet. Kandidaatin tutkinto ei tuota arkkitehdin ammattipätevyyttä, mutta se antaa opiskelijalle hyvät valmiudet toimia avustavissa ammatillisissa tehtävissä esimerkiksi arkkitehtitoimistoissa tai julkisissa suunnitteluvirastoissa.
Master Programmes
Architecture, Master of Science in Architecture
Architecture is technical and artistic, it is a social art and also an artful science.
Urban Studies and Planning, Master of Science in Architecture
"A diverse group of students with different backgrounds is inspiring. Every teacher has a different expertise and some different perspective to bring to the discussion, and the topics we learned broadened my knowledge of the city from very different perspectives”
Maisema-arkkitehtuuri, maisema-arkkitehti
Maisema-arkkitehdit luovat nähtävää, koettavaa ja elettävää ympäristöä. Maisema-arkkitehtuuri on poikkitieteellinen ja -taiteellinen ala, joka yhdistää taiteen, luonnontieteiden ja tekniikan osaamista. Esteettisyys, ekologisuus ja toiminnallisuus ovat maisema-arkkitehtuurin perusarvoja.
Interior Architecture, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
Interior architecture addresses the close human scale of space and furniture to create meaning and value to people and organisations, and to transform and renew the everyday living environment. Dealing with the design of immediate interior and exterior environments, interior architecture requires understanding on human culture, needs and aspirations, the bodily experience and senses, and the spatial, material and technological means to meet these. A skilled interior architect is capable of integrating diverse elements into functional and experiential design solutions that exceed the users’ and clients’ expectations and are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
The programme educates interior architects with a distinct design personality. It comprises studies on spatial design and furniture design. Concrete design assignments form a major part of education. The studies emphasise advanced practical design skills combined with conceptual and strategic design thinking and research-driven design. Students are encouraged to expand the frontiers of the discipline by addressing systems level problems and societal challenges across the scale of built environment.
Students graduated from the programme are eligible to work as professional interior architects.
Professional Studies
Aalto WiT Programme is a 5-month transdisciplinary professional diploma programme under the Aalto University World in Transistion LAB (WiTLAB). The Programme focuses on the resilience of human settlements in the Global Majority context.
WiT Programme
Aalto WiT Programme is a 3,5-month, 24 ETCS interdisciplinary post-master’s programme under the Aalto University World in Transition Research LAB (WiTLAB). The programme focuses on the resilience of human settlements in low & middle-income countries.
Department Management
Faculty
Architectural Principles and Theory
- Professor Jenni Reuter
- Senior University Lecturer Anni Vartola
- University Teacher Iris Andersson
- Lecturer Tuomas Siitonen
Building Design
- Associate Professor Pirjo Sanaksenaho
- Lecture Esa Ruskeepää
Computational Methodologies in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism
- Associate Professor Pia Fricker
Design of Structures and computational design
- Associate Professor Toni Kotnik
- University teacher Zubin Tan
Emergent Design Methodologies
- Professor Antti Ahlava
Health and Wellbeing Architecture
- Professor of Practice Laura Arpiainen
- Senior Scientist Ira Verma
History of Architecture
- Assistant Professor Panu Savolainen
- Senior University Lecturer Özlem Özer-Kemppainen
Housing Design
- Assistant Professor Antti Lehto
- Senior University Lecturer Anne Tervo
Humanitarian Architecture
- Senior Scientist Saija Hollmén
Sustainable building construction
- Associate Professor Matti Kuittinen
- University Teacher Simon Mahringer
Urban Design
- Associate Professor Karin Krokfors
- Lecturer Tommy Lindgren
Urban and Regional Planning
- Senior University Lecturer Hossam Hewidy
- Senior Scientist Johanna Lilius
Wood Architecture
- Professor of Practice Pekka Heikkinen
- University Teacher Laura Zubillaga
Landscape Design and Construction
- Professor Jyrki Sinkkilä
Landscape planning
- Associate Professor Ranja Hautamäki
Landscape planning and Ecology
- Assistant Professor Elisa Lähde
Lecturers
- Lecturer Meri Mannerla-Magnusson
- Lecturer Emilia Weckman
- Lecturer Matleena Muhonen
- University teacher Aada Taipale
Spatial design
- Assistant Professor Katrin Greiling
- University Lecturer Esa Vesmanen
Furniture Design
- Associate Professor Tomek Rygalik
- Lecturer Mikko Paakkanen
Spatial and Service Design
- Senior University Lecturer Antti Pirinen
Wood design
- Lecturer Karola Sahi
- Associate Professor Pia Fricker
- Senior University Lecturer Christine Mady
Research
The research done at the Department of Architecture produces knowledge about architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies and planning, design practice, the role of architecture in society and the future of construction. We also study architectural history and conservation. Furthermore, our focus areas include construction in the social and health sector, construction for a sustainable future, computer-assisted design methods, and humanitarian architecture. Our research profile covers both basic research in architecture and applied research answering the needs of the industry and public sector.
The research relates to multidisciplinary research areas at Aalto University, especially the human-centred living environments, supported by the Living+ Platform.
Research at the Department of Architecture
Our research offers solutions to the planetary crises through analytical and creative mindsets.
Student Works
A collection of Department’s student works
Thesis Works
A collection of thesis works from Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies and Planning, and Interior Architecture programmes.
Aalto University Department of Architecture Yearbook 2020-2022
Writing the yearbook 2020-2022 of the Department of Architecture at Aalto University was inspired by the Department's 150th anniversary.
Architecture Education in Finland 150 years: Aalto University Department of Architecture Yearbook 2020-2022
The yearbook 2020-2022 of the Department of Architecture at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture at Aalto University introduces pandemic period student work, but also describes architectural education over a 150-year period between 1872-2022.
Aalto ARTS' Communications Guide
Easy access communication tools and help for everyone! This guide is updated according to the needs of ARTS members. Login (top right) to view all content. Some pages are internal, so they are only visible to logged-in ARTS members.
Aalto ARTS Handbook
The Aalto ARTS Handbook provides information, instructions and tips on issues related to communications and community.
Where to find us
Undergraduate Centre
Otakaari 1
News
Professor Jenni Reuter: “Architecture can make the world a little better”
Architect Jenni Reuter is driven by a desire to do meaningful work, develop herself and others, and build a more sustainable future. She believes that every action can do some good – including in architecture.
Publishing Research Data Alongside Research Articles
Data availability statements are increasingly required by scientific journals. They include information on what data are available, where they can be found, and any applicable access terms
Connecting the creative community – Aalto ARTS launches newsletter and LinkedIn page
The School of Arts, Design and Architecture has launched a new Friends of Aalto ARTS newsletter and opened its own LinkedIn page.
Training offered in AI in research, data visualisation, cyber security + more – register now!
New topics included! Registrations for autumn 2025 are open.Events
Digital Services Act and researcher data access, Nov 20, 2025
Come join this timely talk on the Digital Services Act by Legal Counsel Maria Rehbinder.
Cybersecurity management, Dec 2, 2025
Learn about cybersecurity management with Data Agent, Dr. Tanesh Kumar.Visit the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Visit the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Information for visitors and guests