In the sustainable housing design courses, we critically investigate and (re)imagine elements of 21st century housing design to create responsible and restorative living environments which respond to and anticipate challenges in a rapidly changing world.

Students explore the making of space and housing design quality within the context of, for example, climate change, ageing populations, declining health and well-being, loneliness. inequalities, and finite energy, material, spatial and financial resources.

We foster a participative, experiential and inclusive learning atmosphere through dialogue, co-creation and peer-to-peer learning. Teaching methods are continuously developed through ongoing pedagogical research.

Design projects are often set in the real world by working with local stakeholders and by participation in design competitions (sometimes leading to real built projects).

We also work with students on their Bachelor’s Thesis, Masters’s Thesis and Doctoral Research.

The work of our teaching team members has been awarded the Tampere University Teaching Excellence & Pedagogical Development award on two occasions (Honorary Mention, 2021 & Annual award, 2023)

OUR COURSES

  • Architectural Design IV – 10ETC, year 3 / Key Teachers: Essi Nisonen & Sofie Pelsmakers

    / In collaboration with the course Urban Planning and Design III

  • Architectural Design IV – 10ETC, year 4 / Key Teachers: Essi Nisonen & Sofie Pelsmakers

    In collaboration with the course Sustainable Architecture

  • Architectural Design – 10ETC, year 5 / Key Teachers: Jenni Poutanen & Sofie Pelsmakers

    In collaboration with the course Innovative Strategies in Architectural Design

  • Architectural Tehtory – 5ETC, masters level / Key Teachers: Sofie Pelsmakers & Dalia Milián Bernal

    Critically investigating some of the key sustainability challenges for architectural design and urban planning, within the context of climatic, societal, ecological and environmental challenges. More info here

  • 10ETC, year 3 / Key Teacher: Essi Nisonen

  • 30ETC, year 5 / Key Teachers: Sofie Pelsmakers & Essi Nisonen

  • Current doctoral studies are undertaken in the following areas:

    • Sustainable living environments
      e.g. low energy/low carbon and nZEB homes, climate change adaptability, building performance and user satisfaction - POE/BPE, and health and well-being

    • Basic housing design research
      e.g. accessible and inclusive design, designing for ageing population, adaptable and dweller-oriented housing design and flexible housing solutions, shared spaces and new co-housing models

    • Sustainable architectural education (e.g. Values, cultures and the integration of sustainability in architectural education. Learner-centered and active teaching and learning methods)

    More info about the Doctoral Programme of the Built Environment in Tampere University here