Designs for a Cooler Planet
Mon–Thu: 7:45–21:00
Fri: 7:45–20:00
Sat–Sun: Closed
The main exhibition is located at the first floor. The building's main entrance is accessible.
Discover tomorrow! Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition, Designs for a Cooler Planet, points the way towards the future.
The autumn exhibition brings together dozens of practical solutions, experiments and ideas from researchers and students. Come and discover inspiring and open-minded perspectives on the future of sustainable architecture, construction, health, materials and much more.
What can fit inside a satellite the size of a milk carton? How could a hydrogen fuel cell just one centimetre thick transform transportation? Does sustainable fashion need to look different from fast fashion? The exhibition brings together both early-stage experiments and more advanced research and innovations from all six schools of the university.
Designs for a Cooler Planet is open from 1 September to 30 October 2026 on Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi. In addition to the main exhibition (Otakaari 2, Espoo), visitors can explore events and satellite exhibition sites.
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu 7:45–21:00
Fri 7:45–20:00
Sat–Sun closed
Main exhibition
Giving a vacant health center a new life as a temporary school
Reusing buildings can save up to 50 percent of natural resources compared to demolition and new construction.
AI accelerates the search for a room-temperature superconductor
Electric current that flows without resistance would revolutionize electronics and save vast amounts of energy.
The journey of materials lasts for centuries
Fragments of a 17th-century shipwreck have been given new life in a unique dress. What kind of legacy will new bio-based materials leave for future generations?
From waste comes something better
Works by Aaltonians show how good the circular economy can look and feel.
A prosthesis that feels like extension of the body
Researchers are developing a prosthesis that better understands the complex interaction between muscles and nerves, enabling more precise and natural control.
Data sheds light on the telehealth boom and its future
Economics researchers have used health and economic register data to investigate for the first time who the rapidly growing healthcare chat services are reaching and what kinds of issues are being treated through them.
Solving earth’s challenges from space
The role of small satellites is growing in navigation, telecommunications, and environmental protection.
Architect’s dream sauna challenges the norms of wood construction
A sauna inspired by Japanese architecture explores the use of naturally shaped wood in construction.
A human-centred employment service grew into a success story
More than half of highly educated immigrants find employment in their own field through KOSKE service, co-designed by Aalto University and the City of Espoo.
Geometry makes materials lighter and stronger
Ultra-light structures show how shape alone can control strength, flexibility, and movement.
A home warmed by nature slows climate change
New heat-insulating materials that store carbon are being developed from agricultural and forestry side streams.
Europe hosts the servers, others reap the rewards?
Building data centers brings investments and jobs to Finland and Europe. But in the future, will the EU be anything more than an electricity producer serving foreign tech giants?
Tomorrow’s home is a non-toxic carbon store
New building materials protect both people and the environment.
Events
Additional events will be announced in August.
8 Sept at 17:00–18:00 Guided public art tour
On the tour, Outi Turpeinen, Head of Public Art at Aalto University, guides participants through public art in the Marsio, Kide and Väre buildings as well as the School of Business.
Marsio lobby, Otakaari 2, Espoo
In English
5 Sept at 13:00–16:30 Tomorrow’s wardrobe & fashion futuring
The seminar brings together discussions and perspectives on the future of fashion and the wardrobe of tomorrow. The event will be held simultaneously in Espoo, Oulu and online. For further details and registration, please visit the event page.
In English
16 Sept at 10:00–12:00 The Nordic Tipping Point
The programme includes expert talks and a panel discussion on climate tipping points, their timescales and regional impacts, and pathways toward a more sustainable future.
Marsio, Otakaari 2, Espoo & online
In English
16 Sept at 16:30–17:30 Guided public art tour
On the tour, Outi Turpeinen, Head of Public Art at Aalto University, guides participants through public art in the Marsio, Kide and Väre buildings as well as the School of Business.
Marsio lobby, Otakaari 2, Espoo
In Finnish
22 Sept at 13:15–17.30 Bio-based materials in industry
The webinar explores the development and industrial applications of biobased materials, with a focus on textiles and other use cases.
Online
In English
29 Sept at 16:30–17:30 Guided public art tour
On the tour, Outi Turpeinen, Head of Public Art at Aalto University, guides participants through public art in the Marsio, Kide and Väre buildings as well as the School of Business.
Marsio lobby, Otakaari 2, Espoo
In Finnish
Satellite exhibitions
More satellite exhibitions will be announced in August.
Aalto ARTS Grad Show 2026
The Aalto ARTS Grad Show brings together a wide selection of final theses and student projects from all over the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.
3 Sept – 7 Oct
Väre building at Aalto campus, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00–20:00
Sat 9:00–17:00
Sun Closed
