The two-day hybrid BIOSYMBIOSIS design seminar will bring to the fore Finnish and international top names in bio-based design, some of which will present their work for the first time in Finland. The language of the seminar is English.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 is dedicated to the theme “Finding the Path to a Sustainable Future: Nature-Based Design Thinking, Research, and Problem Solving”. Distinguished eco-design expert, curator and author William Myers (Museum of 21st Century Design, M21D, including Biodesign [MoMA, 2018]) to initiate a debate. Expert in regenerative design and biomimicry and founder of Exploration Architecture, architect Michael Pawlyn (Eden Project, Sahara Forest Project, Biomimetic Office Building) presents the principles of biomimicry in the built environment. Other current names in design, Italians Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin Studio Formafantasma opens a discussion on the future prospects of geodesign research. Architect Henna HelanderChairman of the Finnish Association of Architects, CEO of SAFA and Paimio Sanatorium Fund, interior designer Anna Tiula Helsinki Interiors and Kari-Otso NevaluomaThe editor-in-chief of Avotakka magazine considers biophilic design in relation to nature.
From eco-design research to regenerative design
The morning session on the second day, May 25, will begin with the theme “Smart Components of Tomorrow: Bio-Based Materials and Innovations,” which will focus on material-based solutions in bio-design. Designer Sofia Pia Belenky From the Space Caviar design office in Milan and Daniel Grushkin, The director of the Biodesign Challenge (USA) opens a discussion on current phenomena. Professor Pirjo Kääriäinen presents recent ChemArts materials research at Aalto University. Designers Irene Purasachit (Aalto University) and Manuel Arias Barrantes (VTT Technical Research Center of Finland) reveals some of its inspiring experiments on biomaterials. In addition to the reuse of materials, the Circwaste-EU project for the circular economy of the city of Jyväskylä also studies local design expertise.
The afternoon session and the third theme “Smart Solutions for Today: Innovative Sustainable Production for the Circular Economy” will highlight the current bioinnovative companies such as Solar Foods, Sulapac, Spinnova and Betolar. Correspondingly, MetsäGroup’s and Fortum’s ExpandFibre-Ecosystem project targets wood waste-based materials to the global market. Outi SuomiThe director of the Bio- and Circular Finland program from Business Finland, will open the afternoon discussion and will also join the final discussion on the global future prospects of bio-based materials and innovations.
9th International Alvar Aalto Design Seminar – BIOSYMBIOSIS is an exceptionally free virtual seminar this time open to everyone. If the pandemic situation allows, the event and related programs will also be held in front of the public at the Jyväskylä Workers’ Club (Alvar Aalto, 1924–25). The seminar brings together the global design and architecture community, professionals, researchers, students – and anyone interested in innovative, solution-oriented design and research. The attached program will be announced later in the spring. Admission to the free seminar requires pre-registration. Only registrants will also have two months of access to the recordings until the end of July 2022. Changes are possible.
The Alvar Aalto Design Seminar, which has been held every three years in Jyväskylä since 1995, is an internationally acclaimed design event that presents top research and experts in the field. The Alvar Aalto Symposium and the Alvar Aalto Researcher’s Network Seminar, which are held every three years, are organized by the Alvar Aalto Foundation / Alvar Aalto Academy together with the City of Jyväskylä and other event partners.
The event partners for 2022 are e.g. Aalto University, Artek, Avotakka magazine, Business Finland, Cumulus ry, Design Helsinki & Clerkenwell Design Week (Media 10), Design Museum Helsinki, Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale and Paimio Sanatorium Foundation. The graphic design of the event has been done by the artist and the graphic designer Aimo Katajamäki.
Source: Alvar Aalto Foundation
Source: The Nordic Page