NODUS Sustainable Design Research Group, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture

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Web:
http://design.aalto.fi/en/research/groups/nodus/
Contact:
nodus@aalto.fi

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What is NODUS?
The NODUS Sustainable Design Research
Group is based in Aalto University School of
Arts, Design and Architecture, Helsinki,
Finland.
We aim to create robust research-based
design knowledge reflecting values
appropriate for a more sustainable society.

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What do we do?
We focus on *sustainable* *design* (SD, DfS)
in transdisciplinary settings, as an open,
accessible & engaging “node”.
This means eco-design and the design of
meanings – of materials, products and
systems. Design in and for a bio-economy.
Design in peer production. Sustainable
Design education. And design for societal
impact.

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Our core competences include:
ü Problem space & context framing
ü Interdisciplinary collaboration
ü Micro-macro scalability
ü Stakeholder sensitive design
ü Sustainable concept generation "
& assessment
ü Sustainable Product-Service System
design & education

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What services do we offer?
ü Identification and exploration of
sustainable opportunities by DfS
ü Articulation of the value in DfS concepts
ü Benchmarking and opportunity mapping
ü Platforms for sustainable and stakeholder
sensitive design

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Who do we work with?
We aim at a balance between the academy,
industry, society & education.
• Tekes, e.g. Green Growth programme
• Finnish Metals and Engineering Competence
Cluster (FIMECC)
• International networks (e.g. TUDelft, Polimi)

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acs.aalto.fi
Who do we work with?
Aalto-wide connections:
• Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme
(CS)
• Aalto LAB Mexico, with several partners
• other Aalto Research Groups, and many
more

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designresearch.aalto.fi/groups/nodus/people/
designresearch.aalto.fi/groups/nodus/publications/
Who are we?
3 post-docs (Tiina Härkäsalmi, Susu
Nousala, Mika Kuisma)
4 doctoral students (Cindy Kohtala, Tatu
Marttila, Pekka Murto, Seungho Lee)
1 MA student (Hesam Pakbeen)
Mentor (Prof. Alastair Fuad-Luke)
Our backgrounds include industrial design,
textiles design, craft design, the social
sciences, and business.

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www.lens.polimi.it
Past and present projects:
• Support Systems for Sustainable
Entrepreneurship and Transformation
(SHIFT): EU/Tekes-funded project
(2013-2016)
• Design Driven Value Chains in the World of
Cellulose: Tekes-funded project (2013-2015)
• Futures digital textile printing DIGItex:
sustainable focus; Tekes funded
(2013-2014)

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Past and present projects:
• UNEP/EU Resource Efficiency and EcoInnovation in Developing and Transition
Economies project: Conribution to EcoInnovation Manual (2013)
• The Learning Network on Sustainability
(LeNS): EU-funded project disseminating
PSS in design education (2007-2010) –>
Publication in press

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Past and present projects:
• TANGO/AH-Design (Wellbeing 365 project):
Suburb development in Helsinki; EU Cultural
funding (2011-2013)
• Baltic Fashion: Aalto focus on sustainability; "
EU funded (2011-2013)
• The Media of Energy and Emotions
(MDNM): Workshop/seminar/exhibition on
energy and resource conservation (2012)