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 an 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 future of telehealth
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.
New hydrogen innovation could democratize energy
A groundbreaking material joint makes hydrogen fuel cells lighter, more reliable, and more affordable to manufacture.
Easy-to-use duct tape could revolutionise water leak detection
A maintenance-free and affordable water leak detection tape works without electricity or batteries in all types of buildings.
Events
Additional events will be announced in August.
4 Sept, 15:30–18:00 TiLA! opening
A new space and service concept for creative professionals brings together work, community and events.
Vuorimiehentie 2 A, Espoo
In Fnnish & English
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
9 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 Finnish
15 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
22 Sept at 13:00–16:00 Open call: Stakeholder workshop on circular construction and building component reuse
The workshop explores the reuse of building components by examining how materials from the former Posti headquarters in Pasila could be integrated into future buildings.
Marsio, Otakaari 2, Espoo
In Finnish and in English
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
23 Sept at 15:00–18:00
What’s in the “cloud”?: collective map-making workshop
Join a collaborative map-making workshop that reveals the materials, infrastructures and natural resources behind our digital technologies.
Space21, Vuorimiehentie 2 A, 02150 Espoo
In English
24 Sept at 13:00–16:00
Designers in materials research – from CHEMARTS to biodesign
Discover how design advances bio-based materials research and the opportunities created through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Marsio Saastamoinen Foundation Stage, Otakaari 2, Espoo & Online
In English
30 Oct at 16:00–17:00 The Convergence of AI and Quantum Technologies
The panel discussion explores how artificial intelligence and quantum technologies can together shape Finland’s competitiveness, innovation and future.
Marsio, Otakaari 2, Espoo & verkossa
2 Oct at 15:30–16:30 Aalto-yliopisto Junior Tiedeteatteri – Meren uudet aarteet
When curiosity is limitless, you can do anything! The event is for children aged 9–12 and is organised in cooperation with the City of Espoo.
Marsio Saastamoinen Foundation Stage, Otakaari 2, Espoo?
In Finnish
6 Oct at 17:00–18:30 Aalto Ahaa Aalto Ahaa – Kasvun tulevaisuus
How do education and future skills, diversity and equality, and AI-shaped working life influence the kind of future we build together?
Marsio, Otakaari 2, Espoo & Online
In Finnish
7 Oct 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
8 Oct at 8:00–9:30 KOSKE goes Cooler
The event explores how customer participation and lived experience can shape the development of employment services, featuring a panel of KOSKE participants sharing their experiences.
Design Factory, Puumiehenkuja 5A, Espoo
In Finnish & English
22 Oct 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 English
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
ArchiBioFoam – Bio-materials in living, breathing buildings
ArchiBioFoam features material samples, prototypes and scale models from a research project developing recyclable and compostable biofoam structures for architecture. Computational design and advanced fabrication enable new, more sustainable building solutions.
14 Sept – 30 Oct
Konemiehentie 1, 02150 Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu 7:45–20:00
Fri 7:45–18:00
Sat–Sun Closed
Caring for and Commoning the Urban Dark
The exhibition showcases two works, Cone of Light and Darkness Library Suomenlinna. Together, they explore urban light pollution and the importance of darker urban environments for the health of people, wildlife and ecosystems.
1 Sept – 28 Oct
Levyhalli, Suomenlinna B 5, 00190, Helsinki
Opening hours:
1–6 Sept
Mon–Wed 10:00–20:00
Thu–Fri 16:00–20:00
Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00
7–30 Sept
Thu–Fri 16:00–20:00
Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00
1–28 Oct
Fri–Sun 16:00–20:00
Noraebang
Experience a Korean-style karaoke booth that brings together music, cultural exchange and environmental sustainability.
24 Aug – 15 Dec
A Bloc, next to K market, Otaniementie 12, Espoo
Opening hours: Mon–Sun 9.00–20.00
Designing sustainable hydrogen valleys – H2EnergySCAPES
The exhibition features a scale model depicting the hydrogen economy by modelling the land use requirements of the entire production chain needed to produce the amount of sustainable aviation fuel required to meet Finland’s 2030 target. It provides insights into the interplay between communities, nature and the wider energy system.
1 Sept – 31 Oct
Aalto Design Factory lobby, Puumiehenkuja 5, 02150 Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00
