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 Changes to shape a sustainable future.
Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo
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.
Future wooden architecture will turn apartment buildings into carbon stores
Students’ visions and prototypes show how beautiful, sustainable, and adaptable multi-story wooden construction can be.
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.
Events
All events are held at Aalto University (Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo) unless otherwise stated.
Artpreneurship: Challenging the status quo by strengthening the relationship between Arts & Business
11 Sept 2025 at 13:00–17:00
Keynote & Panel
In English
Aalto Ahaa: Materiaalien riittävyys – mistä materiaalit tulevat ja mihin ne päättyvät?
16 Sept 2025 at 17:00–18:30
Talks
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
Legacy Awakens: Tracing Tapani Vuorinen’s journey through science and design
25 Sept at 13:00–16.00
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 film screening
2 Oct at 16:45–17:45
Shaping Tomorrow with Smart and Living Materials
3 Oct at 14:00–17:00
Väre, F102, Otaniementie 14
Talk & Workshop
In English
Kun ylitulkinta johtaa toiseen
7 Oct at 17:00–19:00
Talk
In Finnish
Better business – Better society: Markkinointi tänään
21 Oct at 17:00–18:30
Seminar
In Finnish
Uudistajat
9 Oct at 14:00–16:00
Talk
In Finnish
Aalto Ahaa: Keksintöjen merkitys – parempi arki, parempi maailma
14 Oct at 17:00–18:30
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
Satellite exhibitions
Aalto ARTS Grad show
Väre building, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Living Panels: Reimagining Materials with Nature
Väre building, Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Waves of change: Turning waste into sustainable floating future
Outdoor location, Otakaari 8, Espoo
Regenerative Human-Sea Relationships
Venturo house, CF-45, Tapionpuisto, Espoo
Regenerative Human-Sea Relationships
Venturo-talo, CF-45, Tapionpuisto, Espoo
