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Summer school explored sustainable alternatives for construction

Published: 19.8.2025

The Aalto ARTS summer school challenged participants to envision a society in which it is not possible to build anything new. What would that be like, and how would it change the work of spatial practitioners such as architects and designers?

A sculpted model casting a shadow resembling Stonehenge onto a green-lit screen, with people standing nearby. — Venecia Campuzano Flores, Anniliina Heikkinen, Antonia Moraca, Michelle Benina, Rashika Verma: Hundred years of decay. Photo: Ella Kaira

The emissions and environmental impacts of construction are significant and a growing concern, so sustainability issues in the industry are highly topical. At the same time, we need to consider how the work of professionals in the industry should change.

"The environmental crisis brings an urgent need to change thinking and practices in the construction industry as well as in other areas of society," says Hella Hernberg, architect, postdoctoral researcher, and academic leader of the summer school at Aalto University.

The theme of this year's summer school at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture was Spatial Practices Beyond New Construction – spatial practices that seek sustainable alternatives to demolition and new construction. Students were challenged to develop alternative ways of shaping the built environment and addressing related environmental, material, and socio-political issues.

"The future enquiry methods helped students examine assumptions and values related to construction and consider how work related to spaces could change in the future," Hernberg explains.

The focus of the visioning and work was the vacant Maarintalo building on the Aalto University campus. Students were given free rein to consider how spatial needs could be met without new construction projects and what life would be like in a "post-construction future." The result was a series of experiential works in the empty spaces of Maarintalo that encourage viewers to reflect on the relationship between humans and buildings and nature, as well as our shared responsibility for creating a sustainable future.

International and multidisciplinary collaboration

The aim of the summer school is not only to work on current sustainable development issues, but also to strengthen international, multidisciplinary cooperation. Thirty-two students from around the world participated in the course. The intensive course was held at the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi from August 3 to 15.

A climbing plant on a pillar next to a window with a forest view. Rocks and twigs decorate the windowsill. — Marta Colombi, Abhiroop Roy, Silvia Aguilar, Ishna Savadette: Sanctuary of symbiosis. Photo: Mikael Rutkiewicz

Experts from eight different design and architecture schools taught and provided mentoring at the summer school. The participating schools were Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Austria), Central Saint Martins, UAL (United Kingdom), Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), National Institute of Design (India), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Singapore University of Technology and Design (Singapore), Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico) and The New School, Parsons School of Design (United States).

The summer school's final exhibition challenges viewers to consider the alternative roles of architects and spatial practitioners in a future where new construction would be limited or completely prohibited.

The final projects will be on display at the Maarintalo exhibition from August 18 to 22, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Sähkömiehentie 5, Otaniemi, Espoo.

The Aalto ARTS Summer School was held for the fourth time this year and received support from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.