Designs for a Cooler Planet
Aalto University’s Biggest Annual Exhibition, Designs for a Cooler Planet, Showcases Acts of Change
September 5 to October 28, 2025
The world doesn’t become better on its own—it’s made better. Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition showcases a selection of the most visionary and exciting cross-disciplinary work from our students and researchers. This year, the event dives into the newest experiments, prototypes and solutions in construction, health, and materials, among others.
Come see how clay is harnessed as a carbon sink and what a memory disorder detector can do. Fall in love with children’s material experiments and learn how to invest the price of a takeaway coffee.
Designs for a Cooler Planet will be held for the seventh time in Aalto campus.
Due to popular demand, this year’s exhibition will run for two months, from September 5 to October 28, 2025. In addition to the main exhibition in Marsio building (Otakaari 2, Espoo), there will be lectures, workshops, and films, free and open to all.
Main exhibition
Showcasing 19 Acts of Change to shape a sustainable future.
Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu 7:45–21:00
Fri 7:45–20:00
Sat–Sun Closed
Changing the world through crafting
The Marvelous Materials exhibition encourages children and young people to experiment creatively using nothing more than nature’s resources, biobased materials and household biowaste.
Looking back to think ahead
The Nokia Design Archive and its over 20,000 design objects reveals the time, thinking and human effort behind everyday technology.
A unique protein-based adhesive that works even underwater
Inspired by mussels and barnacles, this adhesive challenges toxic, petroleum-based alternatives. Come and see how inspiring glue can be!
From waste clay to carbon sink
Finland’s soft clay soils make it difficult to build durable roads, bridges, and infrastructure. The exhibition presents a more sustainable alternative to cement, developed by researchers, made from biochar.
AI accelerates seamless knitwear design
Industrial knitwear is usually produced by sewing together shaped or cut knitted pieces. This involves many steps and generates a significant amount of material waste. At the exhibition, you can explore a new way of making through knitted sculptures.
Canopy map reveals whether your neighborhood has enough trees
Trees cool cities and act as carbon sinks—but only if canopy cover in residential areas is sufficient. Come and learn about the striking differences in tree coverage across the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Nature’s wonder materials are entering everyday life
What does it look like when material experiments move from the lab to homes? Discover bio-based outfits, packaging, lighting, and even pregnancy tests.
The world’s most common element is helping solve the climate crisis
Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe and can be produced from water. This exhibition showcases the possibilities of hydrogen in creating electrofuels for transportation, and fertilizers—and in the production of fossil-free steel.
Waste-based eco-concrete saves energy and resources
A super-strong alternative to traditional concrete works in both ceramic art and construction, and it significantly reduces the use of energy in production. At the exhibition, you can experience what this material—created using ancient manufacturing methods—looks and feels like.
A joint effort to bring sustainability to Finnish construction
Led by Aalto University, the Building 2030 consortium—comprised of 20 companies from the construction sector—has created a vision for what the industry should look like in five years.
A gem of a building made from demolition waste
Closing Loops is a proof-of-concept of the circular economy’s potential in construction. The exhibition presents a new and globally rare building in which most of the materials are salvaged from demolished buildings and designed to be dismantled. It represents nature-friendly architecture—a new kind of world-class warehouse in Helsinki.
Mobile imaging technology reveals dementia risk
Current screening methods do not effectively identify patients at increased risk of developing dementia. Early detection is crucial. Discover a new research-based method that utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Tiny House: Living within planetary boundaries
The tiny house is a proof-of-concept of the circular economy’s potential in construction. Of the total weight of this 34-square-meter home, 56 percent consists of recycled materials.
Revealing absurdities in construction and circular economy
The Rakennuskato research project highlights how much unnecessary demolition, repair, and waste of natural resources occurs in construction.
Fungal fibers feed on paper waste – and build the future
The exhibition presents a building material based on fungal mycelium. Yes, molds and fungi could be the construction materials of the future.
Heartfelt Kasvu shows how a small space can hold a good life
Kasvu is the 2024–2025 experimental building project of Aalto University’s Wood Program:
a 9.4 m² minimalist living unit built from wood. It arrives at the construction site as flatpacked components and requires no crane for assembly.
Giving rise to ultra-ecological yeast construction (suomeksi: Superekologista hiivarakentamista)
Yeast biomass can be shaped using a 3D printer into desired forms — even directly at the construction site. At the exhibition, you can discover what yeast looks like as part of the interiors of our future homes.
The Nordic Ownership Miracle
Financial literacy is an essential civic skill. The more people understand the basics of personal finance, the better choices we are able to make. Come and see what ownership can look like.
From research to impact
The exhibition features world-changing companies that have emerged from Aalto
University, improving drug dosing, advancing nutrient circularity, enhancing metal
recycling, and providing sustainable bio-based materials to replace plastics.
Events
All events are held at Aalto University (Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo) unless otherwise stated.
Material Encounters with the Baltic Sea
6 Sept at 15:00–16:00
Venturo Studio, Tapionpuisto, Espoo
Workshop & Exhibition visit
In English
Artpreneurship – Reimagining the Role of Artistic Creativity in Business
11 Sept 2025 at 13:00–17:00
Keynote & Panel
Inviting business leaders, strategists, and decision-makers to engage in a future-facing dialogue about the evolving role of creativity in business.
Keynote speakers: Dr. Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group and Ben Hartley, President and CEO, Silkroad
In English
Warmer Designs for a Cooler Planet
11 Sept at 17:00–19:00
Studio Falda, Hämeentie 26, Helsinki
Workshop
Exploring decolonial design possibilities that center care, closeness, and warmth to reimagine futures for a cooler planet.
In English
Aalto Ahaa – Matka materiaalien mahdollisuuksiin
16 Sept 2025 at 17:00–18:35
Hybrid lecture: Sipi Seisko, Kirsi Niinimäki & Katri Kauppi, hosted by Anniina Valtonen.
In Finnish
Kohti onnellisempaa työelämää
22 Sept at 16:30–18:30
Talks: Frank Martela, Marjo-Riitta Diehl, Niina Nurmi ja Satu Rekonen
In Finnish
Closing Loops – Rakentamisen kiertotalouden pilotti
23 Sept at 10:00–15:00
Kaupunkiympäristötalon Auditorio (KYMP-talo), Työpajankatu 8, Helsinki
Seminar & Site tour
In Finnish
Legacy Awakens: Tracing Tapani Vuorinen’s journey through science and design
25 Sept at 13:00–16:00
Hybrid seminar
In English
Built Environments for a Cooler Planet: Sustainable Urbanization Pathways for the World of 2075
2 Oct at 13:00–16:00
Talk
In English
Aalto-yliopisto x EMMA Talks: Kolme näkökulmaa muodin muutokseen
2 Oct at 15:30–16:30
Panel & Guided tour to an exhibition
In Finnish
Radical Creativities
2 Oct at 16:45–17:45
Film screening
In English & Finnish
Shaping Tomorrow with Smart and Living Materials
3 Oct at 14:00–17:00
Väre building at Aalto campus, F102, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Talk & Workshop
In English
Kun ylitulkinta johtaa toiseen
7 Oct at 17:00–19:00
Talk
In Finnish
Uudistajat
9 Oct at 14:00–16:00
Talk
about organizational renewal
In Finnish
Aalto Ahaa – Keksinnöt ja tutkimuksen matka arkeen
14 Oct at 17:00–18:35
Hybrid lecture
In Finnish
Quantum Strategy: The path to making quantum technology Finland’s next success story
15 Oct at 16:00–17:00
Talk
In English
Better business – Better society: Markkinointi tänään
21 Oct at 17:00–18:30
Hybrid seminar
In Finnish
Satellite exhibitions
Love Letters to Our Clothes
The exhibition serves as both a reflection space and a call to action — open to all who wish to share, mend and reimagine the role of clothing in our lives.
1 Sept – 18 Sept
Beta SPACE Gallery, A-wing of Aalto University Undergraduate Centre, 1st Floor, Otakaari
1, Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00
Sat–Sun Closed
Living Panels: Reimagining Materials with Nature
This exhibition showcases student projects. It highlights the potential to design with living organisms, exploring sustainable material possibilities that incorporate biological processes.
1 Sept – 10 Oct
Väre building at Aalto campus, ground floor, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu 7:45–21:00
Fri 7:45–20:00
Sat 9:00–17:00
Sun Closed
Aalto ARTS Grad show 2025
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 – 6 Oct
Väre building at Aalto campus, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00–20:00
Sat 9:00–17:00
Sun Closed
Waves of change: Turning waste into sustainable floating future
Reverlast, a company originating from Aalto University, manufactures floating docks from retired wind turbine blades, giving new life to materials that would otherwise become problematic waste. At the exhibition site, you can explore such a dock as well as a floating barrel sauna maintained by Aalto students. Sauna can be rented for private sessions.
Outdoor location, Otaranta 9, Espoo
Guarding the Baltic Sea
The exhibition reimagines our shared future with the Baltic Sea through poetic, practical, and regenerative design. Featuring films, artefacts, experimental materials, installations, and workshops, the exhibition reflects on our embodied connections with marine environments. The venue is Tapionpuisto’s new architectural landmark
4 Sept – 28 Oct
Venturo Studio -talo, CF-45, Tapionpuisto, Espoo
The exhibition can be viewed from outside 24/7. At agreed times, visitors can also explore the building and the exhibition interior. You’re also welcome to join the workshop on September 6th at 15:00.
