News

Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation donates to the field of education in arts and design at Aalto University

The foundation supports scientific research with a focus on the impact of mental wellbeing on physical health. This is a central perspective, for example, in the education and research of health and wellbeing architecture at Aalto.
Students at the campus.
Photo: Aalto University/Mikko Raskinen

The Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation donates a total of EUR 540,000 to Finnish universities. The foundation's donation to Aalto University will be allocated to the field of education in arts and design.

“Finnish universities carry out extensive and valuable work that is directly linked to the purpose of the Gyllenberg Foundation. We support scientific research with a focus on the impact of mental wellbeing on physical health. This research can be traditional medical research or research that focuses on understanding the health impacts of residential environments or social factors,” says Jannica Fagerholm, Managing Director of the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation.

Human-orientation and communality as elements of well-being

At the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the impact of mental wellbeing on physical health is central, especially in the education and research of health and wellbeing architecture. Alongside institution-centred thinking and process-oriented planning in health care, a more humane, human-centred approach has been introduced. Examples of this are the Multiple Integrated Housing for people with Memory Decline (MonIA) project, which ended this spring, and the design course for terminal care environments.  

“We want to support the open-minded and pioneering development by the School of Arts, Design and Architecture to strengthen the link between mental wellbeing and physical health,” says Fagerholm. 

Tuomas Auvinen, Dean of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, would like to thank the foundation for its broad scope and understanding of holistic wellbeing.

“Particularly architecture and service design play important roles in innovative design in the field of healthcare and wellbeing. We are gradually letting go of our institution-centred thinking. This means more decentralised, mobile health services close to people's everyday lives, greater compassion for patients' experiences and facilities designed to stimulate all senses. The aim is to achieve holistic wellbeing, and it is wonderful that the Gyllenberg Foundation sees great value in this kind of work,” says Auvinen.

For further information, please contact:

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

Accounting capstone course winners
Studies Published:

Towards the transition from the academic world to the professional world

Accounting Masters students had the opportunity to tackle real-life business challenges in the CAPSTONE course in accounting
Skanskan kehitysjohtaja Jan Elfving esiintyy Rakennustekniikan päivässä 2024
Cooperation Published:

Civil Engineering invites companies to participate in future development work

A stakeholder event organized by the Department of Civil Engineering has already become a spring tradition. Civil Engineering Day was held on April 25 in Dipoli Otaniemi.
Three female students studying
Research & Art Published:

Seed funding available to boost collaboration between Aalto, KU Leuven and University of Helsinki

Aalto University, KU Leuven and the University of Helsinki launch the 2nd exploratory seed funding call to explore research collaboration possibilities. The funding call is open until 10 September 2024.
Taija Votkin showing 360 camera use and Tomi Kauppinen and Jutta Tavaila recording a podcast episode
Cooperation, University Published:

Workshop day for teachers: 360° environments and podcasts

On Tuesday 4.6. a workshop day consisting of 360° environment creation and podcast production provides a way to get to know these media in practice. Feel free to join both workshops or one of them according to your time and interest.