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Long-term support for Aalto University from Lappset Group helps to raise global awareness of landscape architecture

Published: 21.6.2021

The framework created by landscape architects plays a key role when playground equipment and sport gear bring joy and thrills to people's lives. Lappset Group Ltd. has supported landscape architecture at Aalto University for a long time.

Lapsia leikkimässä valaistulla kiipeilytelineellä illalla. — HALO 230010 Activity Tower. Photo: Lappset Group archive

Located in Rovaniemi, Lappset is one of the world's leading manufacturers of equipment for playgrounds and sports facilities, as well as urban furniture. Founded in 1970, the products and solutions produced of this family-owned company support the well-being of people of all ages around the world in play and exercise.

Erkki Ikäheimo, Design & Innovations -johtaja, Lappset Group — Erkki Ikäheimo, Vice President, Design & Innovations, Lappset Group

For 20 years already, Lappset has supported Aalto University's research into landscape architecture. A Lappset scholarship is granted annually to the writer of the best Master's thesis in the landscape architecture degree programme.

‘In its 50 years of operation, Lappset has constantly sought to create more pleasant living environments with products that are in harmony with the surrounding landscape. An important premise for all design is understanding what kinds of environments the products will be used in and the direction in which landscape architecture is developing at a particular time’, says Erkki Ikäheimo, Vice President, Design & Innovations at Lappset.

‘With this scholarship we encourage all students of landscape architecture to engage in increasingly open-minded and high-quality research in the future.’

Congratulations to the lively 150-year-old

Ikäheimo points out that landscape architects make our society a better place to live. Sources of inspiration are no limiting factor in the work of those who design landscapes, thanks to Finland’s diverse nature and four seasons. ‘Even on an international scale, Finland has significant architectural traditions. Landscape architects here still constitute a relatively small profession, but by investing in the training of landscape architects we can be trailblazers for the world in this area as well.’

Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture is marking its 150th anniversary this year. ‘Art and high-quality design are at the heart of our nation. Throughout its proud history, the school has done its part to enable the growth of our society to its present-day success. We send our wishes for success for the next 150 years from summery Lapland, a place with very little snow right now’, Ikäheimo states.

Text: Marjukka Puolakka