Aalto WiTLAB - World in Transition
Humanitarian crises call for our action
Aalto WiTLAB - World in Transition
What is the role of architecture in the globalizing world?
Aalto WiTLAB - World in Transition
Can architecture be a component in capacity building?
Aalto WiTLAB - World in Transition
An interdisciplinary network of education and research
Aalto WiTLAB - World in Transition
Aiming for global real-life impact on the built environment
Aalto WiT (World in Transition) LAB is an interdisciplinary cross-school research and education unit hosting collaborative initiatives across Aalto University. It is rooted in sustainable development of the built environment in vulnerable communities and fragile environments globally. WiTLAB serves as a platform for researchers and projects focusing on resilient human settlements, humanitarian architecture, community engagement and grass roots action. It furthers the Aalto University’s strategy on sustainability, transdisciplinary collaboration and Life-Wide-Learning.
Aalto WiTLAB provides a flexible and horizontal network for units and individuals within and outside Aalto University, with a variety of interests and professional experience on related topics. The international experience of the members creates a vast global network of experts, institutes, programs and universities. It is a forum for discussion and action for people within the academia, who are passionate about changing the world for the better.
Aalto WiTLAB coordinates and carries out basic and applied research, publication of topical literature and expert assignments on the above-mentioned themes. Under the Aalto WiTLAB umbrella, It supports two distinct educational pathways: master’s level studies and the WiTProgramme, a professional diploma course. For more information about these opportunities, visit the Education tab.
Aalto WiT Programme
Aalto WiT Programme is a 3,5-month transdisciplinary professional diploma programme under the Aalto University World in Transition Research LAB (WiTLAB). The programme focuses on the resilience of human settlements in low and middle-income countries.
People
Aalto WiTLAB consists of a team of researchers and educators, constantly looking for new collaborations and transdisciplinary partnerships worldwide. Image: Lauri Nykopp
WiTLAB alumni stories
Meet the professionals who have participated in WiTLAB's courses and collaborative projects through time! Here you find interviews where the alumni share their learning experiences and career journeys after graduating from Aalto University.
Indigenous Building Materials, Rwanda
Revitalising tangible and intangible cultural heritage through indigenous building materials and techniques in Rwanda
Biodiversity, Rwanda
Balancing Biodiversity Conservation and Community Livelihoods in Rwanda’s UNESCO Biosphere Landscapes.
Ondiri Wetland, Kenya
Safeguarding Ondiri Wetland: Integrating Community Stewardship, Spatial Planning, and Ecological Restoration.
Inclusive Play, Kenya
Play for all: Architectural design principles and community co-creation for accessible, disability-inclusive playgrounds in coastal Kenya.Background
Aalto WiTLAB was founded in 2014 to adress challenges in the Global Majority context. It connects to the larger strategies and frameworks of the UN Agenda 2030.
News
Current news related to WiTLAB
Keep in touch: a friend book for building your student network
A student team designed a friend book for Aalto University Shop to help students build contacts and make connections.Comment on Finnish national Open Science policy
The National Open Science and Research Coordination invites comments from the scientific community on two Open Science policies.
Forests, Wood and Carbon: now also in Finnish and available via Open University
Starting August 2026, 'Forests, wood and carbon' online course will be available in English and Finnish. Students can select their preferred language at the enrolment. The course is also available through Aalto Open University.
Coming soon, ARTEFAKTI26 (3.-9.9.2026)
ARTEFAKTI returns for the fourth year to Helsinki Design Week from the 3rd to 9th of September 2026 at Puristamo hall in KaapelitehdasSaija Hollmén, Professor of Practice in Humanitarian Architecture at Aalto UniversityOur globe is a closed system, and in the end, we all share the same resources. The fact that these now are unequally distributed should be the concern of us all.
Events
Events related to WiTLAB's interests
Reshaping Spatial Acoustics – Stakeholder reception
RESPA looks into human-technology relations of acoustics in AR environments through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Learn more about the research and collaboration opportunities in this relaxed stakeholder reception.Register by sending an email with the subject line "RESPA reception" to onerva.kiianlinna(at)aalto.fi by 16 Aug the latest.
Unfolding Design Culture: practical investigations explores possibilities for a new praxis of design and enquiry.
Symposium on post-solutionist design culture: how Design Culture Studies scholars practice creatively, engage publics, and generate insights beyond project conventions.
