FinEst Twins – Smart City Centre of Excellence (external link)
Focusing on sustainable smart city development, FinEst Twins is coordinated by TalTech, Aalto University, Forum Virium and Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Key Research Area: Human-centred living environments
We are developing interdisciplinary research to enhance the planning, design, and testing of better living environments.
The goal of human-centered living environments is to better understand how individuals experience their physical environment and how art, spaces, buildings, and communities can enhance this experience.
The challenges of urbanization, efficient use of resources, changes in population structure, as well as the opportunities offered by digitalisation, business services and the experience of nature, are all included in this multi-dimensional research.
The results of this research provide useful knowledge for societal development.
The Aalto Networking Platform brings together our researchers and external parties for multidisciplinary collaboration in the area of human-centered living environments. With our recently opened Living+ Hub, we offer these actors a place to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate. In addition to events focusing on networking and collaboration, we organize educational lectures and seminars for students, Aalto staff and the public, and thus increase awareness of the topics, research and current challenges related to human-centered living environments.
Aalto Living+ Forum
The annual Living+ Forum is a public multi-disciplinary lecture series on themes related to human-centered living environments.
Upcoming events
Aalto ARTS Student Show 2024
The Aalto ARTS Student Show brings together a selection of student projects from all over the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.
Flowing carbon
Different methods of carbon sequestration in urban green areas.
ATUT 2024 - 16th annual symposium of architectural research (external link)
The 16th ATUT Symposium 7-8 November 2024 invites explorations of potential roles of architecture for Regenerative Futures.Latest news in this area
Kiia Einola thinks that buildings should support the well-being of us all
Kiia Einola's study journey at Aalto University extends from bachelor's studies all the way to doctoral research. Summer job during her master's studies sparked Kiia's interest in smart building research. She is currently working on her doctoral dissertation in smart building services engineering by collaborating with Helvar, a company specializing in electrical engineering.
Seija Linnanmäki: ‘Climate change forces us to rethink air conditioning for comfort’
In our I claim series Seija Linnanmäki says that increasing cooling air conditioning cannot be the only solution to manage indoor climate.
Young Landscape Architect of the Year 2024 is Aada Taipale
The award is particularly focused on taking an open-minded, fresh approach to landscape architecture.
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.Flagships and Centres of Excellence
Urban Academy (external link)
Urban Academy (Kaupunkiakatemia) is a platform and network that brings together multidisciplinary research, teaching and societal impact in the field of urban studies. It is a partnership of five organizations: University of Helsinki, Aalto University, City of Helsinki, City of Espoo and City of Vantaa.
Infrastructure
Aalto Living+ Hub
The Living+ Hub is an experimental space for research, development and innovations activities connecting researchers, students, companies and cities.
Aalto Built Environment Laboratory
Aalto Built Envinronment Laboratory (ABE) is a new collaborative research and learning initiative of Aalto University, School of Engineering.
MAGICS – Media – Arts – Games – Interaction – Computing – Science (external link)
MAGICS is an infrastructure network to support research into motion recording, and virtual environments. It is a joint effort of Aalto University, Tampere University and the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Featured research bodies
Group X (external link)
A focus group at the department of architecture at Aalto University
Smartland consortium (external link)
The consortium helps to identify and develop effective and sustainable land-use policies. The consortium is led by Aalto, Universities of Helsinki and Turku and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Key research area contact
Dr. Aija Staffans
Manager, Human-centred living environments, Key Research Area, Aalto Networking Platform