Aalto University, Helsinki: School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Merging History and Modernity

Advertisements
Korkeakouluaukio plaza and the Väre building of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture at the Aalto University's Campus.
Korkeakouluaukio plaza and the Väre building of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture at the Aalto University’s Campus. | Wikipedia

Aalto University, located in Helsinki, Finland, is a powerhouse in arts, design, and architecture education. The university represents a deep fusion of the historical and the modern, both in terms of its physical makeup and underlying educational philosophy. The institution is a product of the merger of three significant Finnish universities, offering its students a wealth of knowledge and experience rooted in over a century of Finnish educational traditions.

Formation of Aalto University

Aalto University was established in 2010 as an innovative institution, fusing together three previously independent universities: the University of Art and Design Helsinki (established 1971), the Helsinki University of Technology (established 1949), and the Helsinki School of Economics (established 1904). This fusion was designed to promote interdisciplinary study and innovation, bridging the traditional boundaries between disciplines.

Historical Roots of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Today’s Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture is traced back to the School of Arts and Crafts, established in 1871. The school underwent several transformations over the decades, being renamed the Central School of Industrial Arts in 1885. Located in the prominent Ateneum building by Theodor Höijer in Rautatientori Square in the city centre, the school and its successors operated there until 1986. Post World War II, the Central School was renamed the Institute of Industrial Arts Helsinki in 1949. Later, in 1973, it became the University of Industrial Arts Helsinki (UIAH).

Relocation and Expansion

In 1986, the school moved to Arabianranta, the Arabia ceramic factory estate site. Over time, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture managed to unite many departments in a cluster at this location. Notably, it was here that an audio-visual department was established within the Helsinki ‘Virtual Village’, close to the audio-visual company Sonera and IBM, the latter commissioned by the city of Helsinki to create a ‘smart’ communications urban infrastructure. This set-up offered new possibilities for collaboration between creative endeavours and industry.

The Architecture Department and the Otaniemi Campus

The Architecture Department, initially part of the Helsinki University of Technology, is now based on the Otaniemi Campus, a masterpiece designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The campus, approximately 6 miles from the city centre, is a living testament to the architectural prowess taught at Aalto University.

Global Reach and Impact

Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture has grown to become the Nordic countries’ largest provider of design education, offering degrees from undergraduate to doctoral levels. The school has established approximately 200 memoranda of cooperation with European and overseas universities. Its alumni include many leading figures of Finnish design including Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, Kaj Franck, and Antii Nurmesniemi.

Aalto University upholds its deep-rooted traditions while forging ahead with innovative collaborations and teaching methods, bridging history and modernity in a unique educational experience. It is an exemplary model of successfully merging tradition and innovation in higher education.

Advertisements

More on Design Education

  • Stuart Ash: Shaped Canadian Graphic Design

    Stuart Ash:  Shaped Canadian Graphic Design

    Stuart Ash, a pioneer of Canadian graphic design, co-founded Gottschalk + Ash International in 1966, creating transformative visual identities like the Canadian Centennial symbol. His minimalist designs, garnering many awards, significantly elevated Canadian design’s global status and continue to influence new generations of designers.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • 7 Reasons Why ‘Good Design’ Improves Your Mood

    7 Reasons Why ‘Good Design’ Improves Your Mood

    Well-designed products enhance our mood through aesthetic pleasure, functionality, psychological impact, evoking nostalgia, quality craftsmanship, alignment with personal values, and novelty. These aspects make them catalysts for emotional well-being.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • How Lighting Affects Consumer Behavior Across Cultures

    How Lighting Affects Consumer Behavior Across Cultures

    Lighting hugely influences interior design, impacting emotional states and consumer behaviour. Cultural background also affects lighting preferences, with American customers favoring warmer light and Korean consumers preferring cooler tones. Therefore, a diverse and multicultural approach to lighting design is critical.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • The Gratitude of Design – Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari-taisha

    The Gratitude of Design – Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari-taisha

    Discover the captivating story of the Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari-taisha, where each gate embodies a unique tale of gratitude and exceptional design. Explore the spirituality and craftsmanship behind this awe-inspiring pathway in Kyoto, Japan.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Victor Papanek (1923 – 1998) socially responsible Design Prophet

    Victor Papanek (1923 – 1998) socially responsible Design Prophet

    Victor Papanek was a socially responsible designer. Design for the Real World, his book, was released in 20 different languages. TELL ME MORERead More →


    Learn More →


  • Aalto University, Helsinki: School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Merging History and Modernity

    Aalto University, Helsinki: School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Merging History and Modernity

    Aalto University, located in Helsinki, Finland, is renowned for its School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Formed in 2010 by merging three prestigious Finnish universities, Aalto University blends historical traditions and modern innovation. The School’s roots lie in the 1871-established School of Arts and Crafts, which evolved and relocated over the years to its current…


    Learn More →


  • Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher

    Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher

    Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) was an Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher. He was born in Trieste and active in Milan.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Albert Reimann (1874 – 1971) German metalworker and educator

    Albert Reimann (1874 – 1971) German metalworker and educator

    Albert and his wife Klara Reimann founded the Schülerwerkstatten für Kleinplastik (School for Small Sculpture) in Berlin in 1902. Reimann was a gifted craftsman who created prototypes to produce bronze, copper, silver, gold, and pottery. Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector

    Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector

    “Design Thinking for the Greater Good” explores how design thinking, already successful in the commercial world, can be applied by social sector organizations to address complex issues. The authors present ten stories of struggles and successes in various sectors, demonstrating how collaborative creativity can overcome entrenched bureaucracies. The book provides a practical roadmap for implementing…


    Learn More →


  • Chicago Institute of Design – Landmark of Design Learning

    Chicago Institute of Design – Landmark of Design Learning

    In Chicago, the Institute of Design was established by László Moholy-Nagy in 1939, following several short-lived precedents beginning with the New Bauhaus in Chicago, established in 1937 under the direction of Moholy-Nagy, with Walter Gropius, a former member of the Bauhaus, as a consultant.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Exploring the Pedagogy of the Bauhaus: A Typical Lesson

    Exploring the Pedagogy of the Bauhaus: A Typical Lesson

    The Bauhaus School, founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, revolutionized art, architecture, and design by combining theoretical knowledge with practical training. Students completed the Vorkurs, followed by specific workshops, theoretical instruction, and interdisciplinary projects, fostering unity across arts and crafts.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) – A Leader in Decorative Arts

    Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) – A Leader in Decorative Arts

    The Victoria and Albert Museum ( V&A ) is one of the world’s foremost collections of decorative arts and architecture. It served as a model for the development of applied arts museums in Vienna (1864), Berlin (1867), Oslo (1876), Copenhagen (1890), and other cities.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Enzo Frateili (1914 – 1993) Italian Designer

    Enzo Frateili (1914 – 1993) Italian Designer

    Enzo Frateili was an Italian designer born in Rome and active in Milan. Frateili began his professional career in 1955. In the early 50s, he worked at Stile Industrial; in 1962 he was the Italian correspondent to the journal form. His books included Archiektur und Komfort (1967) and Design e Civiltà della Machina (1969). The…


    Learn More →


  • Tomas Maldonado (1922- 2018) Italian Design Theorist

    Tomas Maldonado (1922- 2018) Italian Design Theorist

    Tomas Maldonado was an Italian design theorist and industrial designer who led a revolt against aesthetic taste and functional problem-solving in design thinking. Max Bill’s goal was to bring back the Bauhaus ideas and make Germany the centre of design after the war.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Rhode Island School of Design – Prestigious Design Education

    Rhode Island School of Design – Prestigious Design Education

    Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a private art and design school in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877 and now offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in 19 different fields. It is affiliated with Brown University, with which it shares a College Hill campus.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Beautiful Evidence – Learn how to Show and Present Data

    Beautiful Evidence – Learn how to Show and Present Data

    Beautiful Evidence is a book that teaches how to show information clearly and effectively, suggests new designs, and provides analytical tools for judging credibility. It also moves away from pixel and paper flatlands and into the real world of three-dimensional space and time.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Garniture – Decorative set of Porcelain

    Garniture – Decorative set of Porcelain

    Usually on a fireplace mantel. Garnitures were put on furniture and ledges or niches around a room’s walls, notably over doors or fireplaces.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Domus (1928) magazine devoted to design & architecture

    Domus (1928) magazine devoted to design & architecture

    Gio Ponti founded Domus in 1928, this journal devoted to architecture and design, originally named “L’ Arte della Casa,” has been at the forefront of design debate in Italy. In the 1930s, it was mainly concerned with a Novecento aesthetic, but it also paid attention to more radical tendencies, as Persico’s 1934 article “A New Start for…


    Learn More →


  • Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture

    Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture

    Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture is a place for artists to live and work, and is one of the only U.S. schools to teach the ancient art of fresco. Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture raised $21 million to help young artists and create an archive of over 700 lectures. LEARN MORERead More →


    Learn More →


  • Black Mountain College (1933 – 1957) the experimental spirit

    Black Mountain College (1933 – 1957) the experimental spirit

    Black Mountain College was founded by John Andrew Rice and a group of dissident, radical academics in North Carolina’s mountains in 1933. It symbolised academic freedom and the experimental spirit of American culture.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Standardization of Design – Design Ideas

    Standardization of Design – Design Ideas

    Standardization is a critical feature of designs designed for industrial mass production. It allows components that make up the productRead More →


    Learn More →


  • Royal Academy of the Arts

    Royal Academy of the Arts

    RA | What’s On | News & Blog | Art & Artists | About Visit | Shop They are anRead More →


    Learn More →


  • Chicago Institute of Design – Landmark of Design Education

    Chicago Institute of Design – Landmark of Design Education

    In Chicago, the Institute of Design was established by László Moholy-Nagy in 1939, following several short-lived precedents beginning with the New Bauhaus in Chicago, established in 1937 under the direction of Moholy-Nagy, with Walter Gropius, a former member of the Bauhaus, as a consultant.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Bracket Foot – What is it?

    Bracket Foot – What is it?

    Bracket foot. In furniture, a right-angled foot, with each Inner and Curt. Bracket feet may be straight or ogee (a double curve also known as a cyma curve, typical in Chippendale Designs) or French ( a flared foot standard in the furniture of Hepplewhite and his successors).Read More →


    Learn More →


  • École Boulle – College of fine arts and crafts, Paris

    École Boulle – College of fine arts and crafts, Paris

    The École Boulle was created in 1886 and is named after the cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, who during the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715), the Sun King, was commonly considered to be the preeminent artist in the field of marquetry or inlay. The art of André-Charles Boulle is regarded today as “Boulle Work”. Read More →


    Learn More →


  • National School of Fine Arts, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    National School of Fine Arts, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    The Escola de Belas Artes (School of Fine Arts) is a former colonial school that is now part of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • École de Nancy – Art Nouveau artisans and designers

    École de Nancy – Art Nouveau artisans and designers

    Between 1890 and 1914, the École de Nancy, or Nancy School, was a group of Art Nouveau artisans and designers based in Nancy, France. The furniture designer Louis Majorelle, the cabinet maker and glass artist Jacques Grüber, the glass and furniture designer Émile Gallé, and the Daum crystal factory were important contributors.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Slade School of Fine Art

    Slade School of Fine Art

    A training school for artists established in 1871 as part of the University College of London. It is named after the art collector Felix Slade (1788–1868), who in his will endowed chairs of fine art at the universities of London, Oxford and Cambridge. Read More →


    Learn More →


  • École Estienne (Paris) – 120 years of design training

    École Estienne (Paris) – 120 years of design training

    In honour of the Estienne family, the school was named after a famous family of printers from the 16th century, including Henri Estienne (elder), Robert Estienne and Charles Estienne. Its mission was to address the poor printing and book-making qualifications and standards, covering theoretical and practical aspects.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • “Just in time” design concept

    “Just in time” design concept

    Just in time” design concept, this practice became an increasingly important aspect of economic manufacturing and distribution. The ability to link sales data from retail outlets and checkout terminals with centralised corporate manufacturing and distribution systems ‘just in time’ eliminated the need for manufacturer-retailers like Benetton, an Italian clothing company, to keep large amounts of…


    Learn More →


  • Surrealism – Art & Design Term

    Surrealism – Art & Design Term

    Surrealism was one of the most influential and disruptive trends of the twentieth century, flourishing especially in the 1920s and 1930s and offering a radical contrast to Cubism’s rational and formal features. It emphasised the positive rather than the nihilistic, unlike Dada, from which it derived in many aspects. Surrealism aimed to gain access to…


    Learn More →


  • Kansei Engineering Applied to Design

    Kansei Engineering Applied to Design

    A conceptual dimension in web design, development and thinking is called “Kansei engineering” a deeply held philosophy that every web site should be designed and developed to provide strong emotional as well as functional satisfaction to its user.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Defining Asymmetrical Balance and Determining Its Use in Art and Design

    Defining Asymmetrical Balance and Determining Its Use in Art and Design

    Design principles are the foundation of a good design. The design principles you learned will guide you in creating visual media. An efficient design will guide the viewer to see what you intend for them to look in the way you intended for them to see it.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • TU Wien – Vienna University of Technology

    TU Wien – Vienna University of Technology

    One of the foremost universities in Vienna, Austria, is TU Wien (TUW; German: Technische Universität Wien; also known in English as the Vienna University of Technology from 1975–2014). The University has gained comprehensive international and domestic recognition in both teaching and science and is a highly respected partner of innovation-oriented enterprises.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • ‘The Central’ – Central School of Art and Design

    ‘The Central’ – Central School of Art and Design

    The London County Council set up this vital art school in 1896 to promote the industrial application of decorative art.Read More →


    Learn More →


  • Poetry in everyday objects: The designs of Mario Bellini

    Poetry in everyday objects: The designs of Mario Bellini

    This article discusses various 20th-century design styles, outlining how they have evolved over the decades, often driven by societal and technological changes. It asserts that the usability of designed objects is largely dependent on users’ emotional responses to them. The piece uses the work of designer Mario Bellini as a case study, highlighting the importance…


    Learn More →


More design articles

Advertisements

❤️ Receive our newsletter

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.