Research & Art

Key Research Area: Human-centred living environments

We are developing interdisciplinary research to enhance the planning, design, and testing of better living environments.
Kokoon modular living system is made of wood. Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo
The Kokoon modular living system is made of wood. Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo

The goal of human-centered living environments is to better understand how individuals experience their physical environment and how art, spaces, buildings, and communities can enhance this experience.

The challenges of urbanization, efficient use of resources, changes in population structure, as well as the opportunities offered by digitalisation, business services and the experience of nature, are all included in this multi-dimensional research.

The results of this research provide useful knowledge for societal development.

The Aalto Networking Platform brings together our researchers and external parties for multidisciplinary collaboration in the area of human-centered living environments. With our recently opened Living+ Hub, we offer these actors a place to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate. In addition to events focusing on networking and collaboration, we organize educational lectures and seminars for students, Aalto staff and the public, and thus increase awareness of the topics, research and current challenges related to human-centered living environments.

Aalto Living+ Forum

The annual Living+ Forum is a public multi-disciplinary lecture series on themes related to human-centered living environments.

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Visiting lecturer Akira Minagawa

Upcoming events

NODUS Talks September 2024
Lectures and seminars

NODUS TALKS Serious Games for Sustainable Futures

Presentations and panel discussion with Tommi Vasko and Ola Uhrqvist.
Otaniemi campus
Conferences

ATUT 2024 - 16th annual symposium of architectural research (external link)

The 16th ATUT Symposium 7-8 November 2024 invites explorations of potential roles of architecture for Regenerative Futures.

Latest news in this area

Kristjana Adalgeirsdottir kuvattuna talon kiviseinää vasten, talo on väriltään vaaleanpunainen, kuvassa on myös ikkuna.
Aalto Magazine, Research & Art Published:

Everyday choices: Kristjana Adalgeirsdóttir, what does an architect do in a war zone?

This doctoral researcher responds to the need for a home, not just a shelter – amid the most complex humanitarian crises.
Järvimaisema, jossa taivas peilautuu veden pinnasta, taustalla puustoa.
Research & Art Published:

Is there enough water in the land of a thousand lakes? True or false: three claims about drought risks in Finland

Drought is one of the world's most devastating natural disasters, and climate change is likely to increase and intensify droughts around the world.
Iso kaupunkirakennus, jonka edessä puita ja muita kasveja.
Press releases Published:

Climate action plans of the six largest cities in Finland compared – densification alone is not enough for a climate solution, researchers emphasize

Aalto University researchers showed that even though the importance of urban green is growing, densifying the urban structure is still a mantra for climate work that is not questioned.
Man standing in a metro station with a bike
Appointments Published:

Flagships and Centres of Excellence

Finest Bay Area Tunnel Project, by Fira

FinEst Twins – Smart City Centre of Excellence (external link)

Focusing on sustainable smart city development, FinEst Twins is coordinated by TalTech, Aalto University, Forum Virium and Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

Kaupunkiakatemia - Urban Academy

Urban Academy (external link)

Urban Academy (Kaupunkiakatemia) is a platform and network that brings together multidisciplinary research, teaching and societal impact in the field of urban studies. It is a partnership of five organizations: University of Helsinki, Aalto University, City of Helsinki, City of Espoo and City of Vantaa.

Infrastructure

Annamari Tolonen, Aalto yliopisto, 2018.

Aalto Living+ Hub

The Living+ Hub is an experimental space for research, development and innovations activities connecting researchers, students, companies and cities.

Locations

Aalto Built Environment Laboratory

Aalto Built Envinronment Laboratory (ABE) is a new collaborative research and learning initiative of Aalto University, School of Engineering.

MAGICS-infrastruktuuri mahdollistaa virtuaalitodellisuuden hyödyntämisen muun muassa taiteellisissa esityksissä. Kuva: Aalto Studios.

MAGICS – Media – Arts – Games – Interaction – Computing – Science (external link)

MAGICS is an infrastructure network to support research into motion recording, and virtual environments. It is a joint effort of Aalto University, Tampere University and the University of the Arts Helsinki.

Featured research bodies

group x logo

Group X (external link)

A focus group at the department of architecture at Aalto University

Helsinki city, location project

Smartland consortium (external link)

The consortium helps to identify and develop effective and sustainable land-use policies. The consortium is led by Aalto, Universities of Helsinki and Turku and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Key research area contact

 Dr. Aija Staffans

Dr. Aija Staffans

Manager, Human-centred living environments, Key Research Area, Aalto Networking Platform
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