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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.

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.