Aalto University develops better living environments in collaboration with several partners in World Design Capital Helsinki 2012

05.04.2012

Aalto University has a strong presence in the World Design Capital 2012 year with around 30 projects. The projects featured here involve particularly strong co-operative element with multiple private, public and third sector partners. In the core of Aalto University and Living+ is our belief that collaboration between stakeholders makes for a much strong case to really improve living environments in Finland, and globally.

Aalto University in Finland is a unique combination of art, business and technology. This gives it an excellent possibility to create new solutions for global challenges. 

The World Design Capital initiative promotes and supports the cultural, social and financial uses of design. The title is assigned every other year by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), and in 2012 it is assigned to Helsinki, Finland.

Aalto University’s Living+ programme is themed Better living environments. Its aim is to improve everyday life with new solutions, in Finland and globally. The projects vary from social innovation, sustainability and urban design, to future concepts and innovation.

Examples of Aalto University’s Living+ projects

Aalto University has a strong presence in the World Design Capital 2012 year with around 30 projects. The projects featured here involve particularly strong co-operative element with multiple private, public and third sector partners. In the core of Aalto University and Living+ is our belief that collaboration between stakeholders makes for a much strong case to really improve living environments in Finland, and globally.

The Base of the Pyramid (BOP) has the objective to develop socially and ecologically sustainable products, services and business models in the emerging markets. BOP promotes the creation of innovations aimed at decreasing global poverty. At the same time, BOP identifies new markets for Finnish companies that invest in innovation. BOP has two main projects: a health service project Glocal in India, and a furniture industry development project in Peru.
http://management.aalto.fi/en/research/groups/bop/

365 Wellbeing focuses in particular on municipal wellbeing services and patient-centered health care solutions. It contains 12 projects in which students solve real-life cases that represent actual services or processes that address different dimensions of wellbeing. Examples of the services include planning a service home for the elderly and developing psychiatric care units. Students will also design online services for basic health care. The project work and results will be presented in open workshops, online forums and academic journals and run throughout the year.
http://365wellbeing.aalto.fi/press/

The Pavilion serves as a World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 hub, meeting point and event venue. The temporary pavilion with a wooden structure will be built between the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture. It is designed by Aalto University architecture and design students, built in collaboration with UPM, a leading bioeconomy and forestry corporation. The Pavilion is open between May 2012 and autumn 2012.
http://wdchelsinki2012.fi/en/program/2011-06-21/pavilion

MoA’12 (Masters of Aalto) exhibits the research of graduates frf om the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the schools of technology and the School of Economics. It is an international festival showcasing next generation ideas and innovations. This event is unique as a student exhibition because it presents not only design but also technical and business talent. The works seek to create better living environments. MoA’12 and all its events take place between 9 May and 3 June. MoA’12 is part of Helsinki Design Week in September 2012. The events programme and more information is available on MoA’12 website.
http://moa.aalto.fi

Projects for students to get involved:

The 4th Sustainable Summer School is an innovative summer school for design, architecture and other students on Suomenlinna, a fortress island in front of Helsinki. It runs from 25 August to 3 September, 2012. For more information and to register online, visit www.designwalks.org.

Aalto Camp for Societal Innovation (ACSI) is a global new generation innovation process. The heart of ACSI is an annual innovation camp, where solutions and prototypes are created to meet the challenges of broad societal topics. ACSI Camp 2012 is organised in Helsinki 7 – 14 August. Approximately 70 participants will join the camp. Take a look at a video on ACSI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpK_2GhtK7w



Further information:

Producer
Anna Varakas
anna.varakas [at] aalto [dot] fi 
+ 358 (0)50 512 4657

Communications Officer
Johanna Juselius
johanna.juselius [at] aalto [dot] fi 
tel. + 358 (0)50 372 7062

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