Vibrant living environments are created through more inclusive, sustainable and aesthetic design
Aalto University's New European Bauhaus event sought bold perspectives on multidisciplinary and systemic change.
New European Bauhaus at Aalto University
The EU initiative imagines future ways of living by combining design, culture, social inclusion, science and technology. Aalto University is one of the first partners in the project.
The New European Bauhaus is a built-environment development project that combines design, sustainable development, accessibility, affordability and the targeting of investments. The project is part of the European Commission’s European Green Deal programme.
The initiative is aimed at forming a discussion forum and laboratory that transcends borders to bring together architects, artists, designers, engineers, scientists, students, and citizens. The core values of the initiate are sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion.
The built environment causes more than a third of our carbon footprint, and half of the world’s natural resources are consumed in construction each year. It also has a strong impact on our daily lives, our identities, wellbeing and biodiversity.
In Europe, the Green Deal aims to make significant improvements to the sustainability of the built environment in the coming years.
'Aalto’s leadership strongly supports this initiative. Pioneers have a good opportunity to influence how European cities and construction are made carbon-neutral and socially and ecologically sustainable', says Ossi Naukkarinen, Vice President for Research.
Aalto's research areas combine science, architecture, art, technology and business in a unique way, which matches the philosophy of the New European Bauhaus project.
'We are one of the world’s leading universities in the fields of design and architecture. By combining different scales of research and design from nanomaterials to products, from buildings to cities and landscape architecture utilising tools like participatory space design and virtual reality, radically new solutions can emerge', says Tuomas Auvinen, Dean of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.
The Bauhaus initiative sets out an attractive vision for a sustainable European way of life and will accelerate cooperation across organisations through pilot projects.
'We want to change the mindset in construction so that operations are in balance with nature. To this end, we will build a strong community with researchers, designers, architects and companies who want to develop the construction industry to support the well-being of our entire planet’, says Adjunct Professor Matti Kuittinen, who has been preparing the project.
The New European Bauhaus 2021–2024+ will proceed in three partly overlapping stages:
- Co-design 2021
- Delivery 2021–2023
- Dissemination 2023–2024
- NEW! New European Bauhaus mission 2025-
The co-design stage, which concluded in summer 2021, mapped ideas, defined the most urgent needs and challenges, and created connections between the different parties involved.
The initiative entered stage 2, Delivery, on 15 September 2021. A result of the co-design stage was the creation of a content plan and a funding support framework for the delivery stage. In addition, an application period opened for five spearhead pilot projects.
On 2023, the European Commission proposed a potential new to revitalise neighbourhoods across Europe with European Design for Sustainability and Inclusion.
Funding:
At the EU level, 85 million euros have been earmarked from the existing funding programmes , , and . Horizon Europe has reserved 25 million euros for first pilot projects, . The Commission calls on member states also to organise their own funding channels.
The EU Commission is setting up the following support operations for the initiative.
- The NEB LAB is a high-level EU working-group accelerator to create networking opportunities and disseminate information about working solutions and tools.
- The NEB Festival is an event launched by the EU Commission. Next time the festival will take place in Brussels in April 2024. The festival offers partners the chance to share results and ideas, and serves as an initiative as well for attracting other partners and the wider public.
- The EU invites every member state to name a collaborative partner for taking care of festival business at the national level, contact point in Finland is .
Let us know if you are organising an event. We will update the list. Event times are in EET (UTC+02:00).
5.9.-28.10.2025 Designs for a Cooler Planet is a series of exhibitions and events. Address: Aalto University, Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo.Theme: Acts of change – Muutoksen teot. More information.
31.5.2025 Aalto University will organize an event at the Expo 2025 Osaka World Expo in Japan. The two-day New European Bauhaus conference '' focuses on "Skills for the Future of Architecture," join us at the EU Pavilion or online. For more information: Enni Äijälä, enni.aijala@aalto.fi.
3.10.2024 at 9:00–12:00 New European Bauhaus - morning coffee. The talk event will be held in Finnish at Otaniemi, Espoo.
6.9.-3.10.2024 Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibitions and events. Address: Aalto University, Marsio building, Otakaari 2, Espoo.Theme: Makers of the impossible. More information.
9.-13.4.2024 , get to know our programme:
- Time Out! Rethinking construction -exhibition
10.-13.4.2024 at 9.30-18.00
Museum of Art & History, Parc du Cinquantenaire 10, Brussels, Belgium - Transforming our built environment: key challenges and opportunities - panel discussion:
10.4 at 16:10-16:55, Park Stage (Museum of Art & History, Brussels)
Moderator professor Matti Kuittinen, Aalto University. Panel speakers: Ciaran Cuffe, Hans Sohlström/ Stora Enso and professor Andreja Kutnar. - Finimalize this! workshop
11.4 at 14.00–15.00, Stage (Museum of Art & History, Brussels)
Panelist: Matti Kuittinen (Aalto University), Enni Äijälä (Aalto University) Anna Ruohonen ja Jaakko Torvinen (Aalto University). Moderator: Katja Lindroos, Finimalism. - NEB x Finland: Discovering the Nordic Dimension to Green Transition -panel discussion:
11.4 at 18:15-20:00
Collaborators: Archinfo, Metropolia, Taike, Finimalism, Aalto University
Helsinki EU Office (Rue Guimard 7, 1040 Bryssel)
Lisätietoja: enni.aijala@aalto.fi
6 Sep - 6 Oct, 2023 Designs for a Cooler Planetexhibitions and events at Otaniemi and online. Organiser: Aalto University. Theme: Invisible – what don't we see even though we should? Additional information. Partners: NEB ja Helsinki Design Week
30 May -2 June, 2023 Aalto University is partnering with the that takes place at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
28 Nov - Dec, 2022, 'Wardrobe of the Future' exhibition is a vision by Aalto University's experts for a sustainable future for the fashion and textile industry. The exhibition will be on display at the European Parliament in Brussels just as the European Union's textile strategy is being discussed by the parliament.
25 Nov, 2022, 10:00–14:40 Into the Woods. How can forests provide inspiration and material for sustainable construction, while fostering biodiversity and carbon sinks. Welcome: Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia, Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden. & Contact: Matti Kuittinen
7 Sept –12 Oct, 2022 Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibitions and events at Otaniemi and online. Organiser: Aalto University. Additional information. Theme: What's Life 1.5 like? Partners: NEB ja Helsinki Design Week
10 June, 2022, 10.45 – 11.45 New European Bauhaus Festival
Education and the New European Bauhaus...let's imagine it!
Dialogue: Petri Suomala (Vice President, Education) and Danica Dakic (Artist).
Venue: Gare Maritime, Brussels. Read
10 June, 2022, 9.00 – 10.30 New European Bauhaus Festival.
Moving towards regenerative design in the built environment. Panel discussion ie. Matti Kuittinen (Aalto University ja Ministry of Environment). Venue: Gare Maritime, Brussels. or watch .
9 June 2022 (12.00 – 18.00 New European Bauhaus Festival.
Frontiers of Circular Architecture. Venue: Maison de la Poste, Rue Picard 5/7, 1000 Brussels & or participate ONLINE. ja er.
28 October 2021 (13.00–16.00) The New European Bauhaus Goes Digital. The event invites the creative field to discuss and learn what digitalisation means in architecture, design and art. or . Partners: The Building Information Foundation RTS, Aalto University, University of Porto, the Bureau of European Design Associations BEDA, Archinfo Finland.
8–29 Sept 2021: Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibitions and events at Otaniemi and online. Organiser: Aalto University. Additional information online and in the event calendar. Partners: NEB, Helsinki Design Week, and the Year of Research-based Knowledge 2021
26 August 2021, 14.00–17.00: Online Discussions on Inclusion and Aesthetics. Live-stream seminar. Organised by NEB partner Accessible Arts and Culture (ACCAC), the City of Tampere, Bright Finland and Aalto University. Aalto speaker: Sanna Lehtinen, Research Fellow. More programme info .
6 June 2021, 12.00–14.00: What should designers and city planners know about biochar? Place: , Meeting ID: 627 6824 2985. Organiser: Aalto University, Mikko Jalas.
19 May 2021, 13.00–16.00: Wood Architecture and Design in Bauhaus. Organiser: Aalto University, Nordic Wood Cities and the Ministry of the Environment. .
8 May 2021, 12.00–13.00: The National event. Organisers: The European Commission and Finland’s Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Education and Culture. The speakers include Professor Matti Kuittinen. Follow the event in its entirety 7–9 May via .
6 May 2021, 10.30–12.00: Carbon-smart Urban Landscape. Organiser: Aalto University’s CO-CARBON and SmartLand research projects.Register.
May 5 2021, 14.00–17.00: Beyond sustainability-as-usual: co-creating transformative change in sustainable living. Chair: Idil Gaziulusoy. Bauhaus remarks: Anna Valtonen. Organiser: Aalto University. New European Bauhaus – Main event, joint development of partnerships. .
28 April 2021: 18.00–20.00: LASERtalk: Adaptation and Space. Organiser: Aalto University.
28 April 2021, 13.00–16.00: Nordic Co-design event 2: Sustainable aesthetics in the built environment. Organiser: Ministry of the Environment..
24 March 2021, 13.00–16.00: Chairman: Matti Kuittinen. Organiser: Ministry of the Environment.
How you as an Aalto academic can participate:
- Apply for new NEB research funding
- Propose content for the NEB Festival
- Participate in an NEB Prize competition
How can I take part as a member of Aalto?
The EU Commission plans to open a number of funding opportunities. New European Bauhaus projects do not have their own funding programme. Instead, 85 million euros has been earmarked for 2021–2022 from other EU programmes.
of NEB funding opportunities, check the latests opportunities:
- Joint Call between Mission 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 and Mission Adaptation to Climate Change.
- Budget: EUR 40 million
- Deadline: 27 April 2023
- Second call for affordable housing district demonstrators applying the New European Bauhaus concept, following the previous one launched in 2021.
- Budget: EUR 10 million
- Deadline: 20 April 2023
Need help with your application? Contact the Research Support Services Pre-Award team. The contact person for ARTS is gwyndaf.garbutt@aalto.fi.
- Follow the Aalto Pre-Award team’s calendar of funding calls.
Are you interest in the campus area and testing new sustainability concepts at Otaniemi? Make a proposal University Campus & Real Estate () about a campus development pilot project for which you are seeking NEB funding. The contact person is Antti Säynäjoki, antti.saynajoki@aalto.fi.
The EU Commission is organising a festival as meeting place where individuals and organisations can share content and present solutions. Aalto is in itself a Bauhaus microcosm, with our competencies for presenting crossdisciplinary research. The festival offers a splendid opportunity to showcase exhibitions, workshops or talks.
- The previous NEB Festival took place in 18-20 April 2024 (we will update here when the next one will be held)
- The Festival’s main activities will take place physically in Brussels and online, with side events across the EU and beyond.
- At the event, you can present exhibitions, art performances or talks that support the values of the New European Bauhaus.
- The Fest: with a range of performances, participatory activities, and festivities in associated pop-up spaces in Brussels.
- The Fair: exhibitions spread across the city to display projects and products that for example support green transition and circularity.
- The Forum: an online platform broadcasting debates in Brussels, as well as side-events across the world.
- The are open until 30 Sep 2023
- Previously The EU Commission has subsidised some expenses in a form of technical support, visibility, networking opportunities and travel costs.
> if you are applying to be part of the NEB-festival or are interested in the topic, please contact Enni Äijälä, enni.aijala@aalto.fi.
New European Bauhaus 2025 Prizes.
The Prizes recognise and reward existing projects and young people’s concepts, that represe sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusiveness.
Prizes will be awarded to projects and ideas, with a special focus on “Affordable Housing”.
Strand A: “New European Bauhaus Champions”, existing and completed projects
Strand B: “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars”, young talents aged 30 years old or younger
Apply by 14 February 2025 at 19:00 CET.
Prize highlights:
• Supported by the Cohesion Policy, the 2025 NEB Prizes will recognize 22 winners and runners-up
• Winners can receive up to €30,000
Read more:
Contact person for things related to teaching: laura.sivula@aalto.fi
Finland has ambitious climate goals with its aim of being the first EU member to become carbon neutral.
As a Bauhaus partner, Aalto is focussing on three themes:
- Low-carbon construction using carbon sinks and sequestering. We explore how wood architecture, landscape design, circular economy, urban metabolism and sustainable financing can further the aim of carbon neutrality.
- Strengthening of local identities and culture through sustainable architecture and area planning. The need is pronounced in low-income areas that are exposed to climate-related hazards and disaster risks. Architects need to understand the needs of the community and natural diversity, so as to design living environments that can operationally respond to these needs — but this requires real shifts in mindset.
- Building a digital community around new ways of thinking and creative approaches. The plan is to create digital learning materials and participatory platforms to develop built environments.
Further information:
Senior specialist Enni Äijälä, enni.aijala@aalto.fi
For questions concerning funding, contact Research Support Services. See the Pre-Award team contacts for specific schools here.
Ursula von der Leyen“If the European green deal has a soul, it is the New European Bauhaus.”
Tapahtumat
Beyond sustainability-as-usual: co-creating transformative change in sustainable living
Aalto's main event in New European Bauhaus concentrates on radically bold questions.
Designs for a Cooler Planet
Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition presents cross-disciplinary experiments. Come explore students’ and researchers’ acts of change.
Uutiset
Aalto is a partner in the New European Bauhaus initiative
The EU initiative imagines future ways of living by combining design, culture, social inclusion, science and technology.
Aalto University partnering with the World Circular Economy Forum WCEF2023
The World Circular Economy Forum WCEF will bring together the world's leading circular economy professionals in Helsinki in May-June 2023.