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Hella Hernberg

Postdoctoral Researcher
Postdoctoral Researcher
A803 Dept. Design

Hella Hernberg is an architect and postdoctoral researcher whose work advances the care and revitalization of existing spaces and properties, striving for resource wisdom and socio-ecological sustainability in built environments. In this context, she focuses on sociopolitically and materially engaged intermediation of complex multi-stakeholder processes in urban sustainability transformations. Her research approach intersects with sustainability transitions, architecture, planning, urban studies, and participatory design. Her current research is funded by the Kone Foundation. Hella holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Design (Aalto University, 2022) and an Architect (MSc) degree (Helsinki University of Technology, 2008). Her doctoral thesis, titled , won the Aalto ARTS Dissertation Award 2022. Hella’s research also builds on her professional expertise as an architect working with the participatory revitalization of vacant spaces since 2008. Previously, she ran her own company, , and in 2012-13, she worked as a strategic designer at the Ministry of the Environment.

Full researcher profile

Areas of expertise

mediation, intermediation, urban sustainability transformations, architecture, participatory design, care, urban development

Honors and awards

Aalto ARTS Dissertation Award 2022

Award for doctoral theses which are among the most meritorious top ten percent of the doctoral theses of the school. The core criteria for the award are academic quality, impact and originality. <br/>
Award or honor granted for a specific work Department of Design Mar 2023

Grant for post-doctoral research

Award or honor granted for academic or artistic career Department of Design Dec 2022

Research grant

3,5 year working grant for doctoral studies
Award or honor granted for academic or artistic career Department of Design Dec 2016

Publications

Hella Hernberg, Kirsi Niinimäki 2024 Zero Waste Sustainable Apparel Industry

Hella Hernberg, İdil Gaziulusoy 2024

Hella Hernberg, Sampsa Hyysalo 2024 Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

Kirsi Niinimäki, Hella Hernberg, Anubhuti Bhatnagar, Malahat Ghoreishi 2024

Hella Hernberg 2022

Hella Hernberg 2022 Arkkitehti - Finnish Architectural Review

Hella Hernberg 2022

Idil Gaziulusoy, Emilija Veselova, Elise Hodson, Eeva Berglund, Elif Erdogan Öztekin, Eeva Houtbeckers, Hella Hernberg, Mikko Jalas, Kata Fodor, Maria Ferreira Litowtschenko 2021 Strategic Design Research Journal

Hella Hernberg 2021 Planning Practice and Research

Hella Hernberg 2020 Built Environment and Architecture as a Resource