Pasi Aalto
+4798025519
Sentralbygg 1, NTNU Wood (220, 2.etg), Gløshaugen
About
Hello,
I am the Centre Director of NTNU Wood, a cross-disciplinary centre that advances projects, studies and initiatives at NTNU with wood and forests as their primary resource base. We gather researchers, students, industry, public bodies and NGOs to develop best possible pathways towards a just, circular and sustainable 2050 society where forests and wood plays a significant role in our lives.
My formal background is in Architecture, as well as Organisation and Leadership. I have a habit of getting involved in new endeavours quite regularly and enjoy a cross-disciplinary setting where new knowledge can be found unexpectedly. I have a firm belief in drastically reducing the amount of resources we consume in everyday life and especially in our buildings. This makes me an avid promoter of circular strategies and hands-on solutions as both action and knowledge is needed.
Current endeavours:
- Whenever possible, I do active research at TrollLabs where I am trying to quantify different human responses to the built environment.
- I am coordinating the SusRes Project Circular City, where my interest lies in circularity in the context of buildings and cities, especially quantified models that describe the materials and elements in our existing buildings as well as the socio-cultural aspects that govern the change in such a building stock.
- In the H2020 project Dialogues, I am examining the role of Energy Citizenship in the energy transition by coordinating the Norway Citizen Action Labs in Overhalla and Oppdal. Here we are looking into the roles of first, second and third places as well as second home ownership.
- I am happily part of the NFR research project Balance, where we are working hard to combine demographic and socio-economic metabolism models at a systems level in Trøndelag.
- In terms of education research, I am part of the SUPER project, looking into how wicked problems can be taught at a universities level.
- Every once in a while, I get involved in research looking at cabins / second homes in Norway.
- I am very fond of making things and do work with parametric design as well as the automated fabrication associated with that (cnc, lasercutting, robotics, etc).
- Two pet projects for research include the AD Microhouse and the AD Experiment box, both designed to be research infrastructure.
- I am coordinating a new cross-discplinary venture, the NTNU Mobile Sensory Lab, which is very cool.
- I teach in the course Design in Context
- I supervise masters students from Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, Design, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Ecology and Machine Engineering, among others.
Sustainability Statement:
- I have a no-flight policy and promote this policy in all my projects.
- I have a strict do-no-harm policy in projects and evaluate all my participation towards the SDGs.
- I actively promote circular practices at NTNU in studies, research and daily activities.
Publications
2025
-
Aalto, Pasi;
Ådnanes, Nora Linnea.
(2025)
Circular Studio - Combining Heritage, Transformation, Reuse and Emissions to a Holistic Student-Active Learning Experience in Architecture.
Academic chapter
-
Bråten, Lina Naoroz;
Nilsen, Berit Therese;
Muñoz, Lucia Liste;
Aalto, Pasi.
(2025)
SCRIPT TALES FROM PARTICIPATORY ENERGY TRANSITIONS: Critical Reflections from Co-Designing Energy Citizenship in a Rural Community.
Nordic Journal of Science and Technology Studies
Academic article
-
Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Aalto, Pasi;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Klöckner, Christian Andreas Nikolaus;
Steinert, Martin;
Dybvik, Henrikke.
(2025)
Pleasant walking environments enhance emotional experiences and reduce brain activation - an application of fNIRS in urban studies.
Cities: The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning
Academic article
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Cox, Christopher;
Ormerod, Isabelle;
Aalto, Pasi;
Snider, Chris.
(2025)
Users evaluating physical, virtual, and mixed reality prototypes exhibit differential DLPFC brain activity.
Scientific Reports
Academic article
-
Aalto, Pasi;
Dittrich, Nils Maximilian;
Triantafyllidis, Georgios;
Mutale, Lombe;
Stolz, Beatrice Alexandra Pauline.
(2025)
Mapping Trondheim’s building stock.
Academic chapter
2024
-
Sahakian, Marlyne;
Zhan,, Mallory;
Epp, Julia;
Liste Munõz, Lucia;
Nilsen, Berit Therese;
Schibel, Karl Ludwig;
Reusswig, Fritz;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Haider, Julia;
Kirchler, Benjamin.
(2024)
From dispersed practices to radical socio-technical imaginaries: the role of action labs for supporting collective energy citizenship.
Consumption and Society
Academic article
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Mcclenaghan, Adam;
Stoyanova, Mariya Stefanova;
Svergja, Asbjørn;
Shealy, Tripp;
Snider, Chris;
Aalto, Pasi;
Steinert, Martin;
Goudswaard, Mark.
(2024)
Investigating differences in brain activity between physical and digital prototyping in open and constrained design tasks.
Proceedings of the Design Society
Academic article
-
Andalib, Elham;
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka;
Steinert, Martin;
Johansen, Agnar;
Aalto, Pasi;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2024)
The Interplay Between the Built Environment, Health, and Well-Being—A Scoping Review.
Urban Science
Academic article
-
Aalto, Pasi;
Steinert, Martin.
(2024)
Emergence of eye-tracking in architectural research: a review of studies 1976–2021.
Architectural Science Review
Academic literature review
-
Ege, Daniel Nygård;
Aalto, Pasi;
Steinert, Martin.
(2024)
People, space use and objects: an UWB-based quantifying approach for post-occupancy evaluation of new architectural spaces.
Engineering Construction and Architectural Management
Academic article
2023
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Alsos, Ole Andreas;
Haneberg, Dag Håkon Andre Åsmundhavn;
Steinert, Martin;
Ege, Daniel Nygård;
Sivertsen, Ingrid Berg.
(2023)
The effects of learning environments on student active learning.
Academic chapter
-
Boccacci, Giulia;
Frasca, Francesca;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Bertolin, Chiara;
Siani, Anna Maria.
(2023)
Exploring the capability of Acoustic Emission Technique in early detecting Mode I and Mixed Mode Fractures. Construction and Building Materials.
Forces in Mechanics
Academic article
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin.
(2023)
Wood Interiors in Architecture: an Eye-tracking Study.
Academic chapter
-
Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin;
Dybvik, Henrikke.
(2023)
Measuring the Impact of Walking Environments on Brain Activation: Results from an fNIRS Pilot Study.
Academic chapter
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Abelson, Filip Gornitzka;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Goucher-Lambert, Kosa;
Steinert, Ralf Martin.
(2023)
Inspirational Stimuli Attain Visual Allocation: Examining Design Ideation with Eye-Tracking.
Academic chapter
2022
-
Wuyts, Wendy;
Miatto, Alessio;
Khumvongsa, Kronnaphat;
Guo, Jing;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Huang, Lizhen.
(2022)
How Can Material Stock Studies Assist the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Cities?.
Environmental Science and Technology
Academic article
-
Piccardo, Chiara;
Goto, Yutaka;
Koca, Deniz;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Hughes, Mark.
(2022)
Challenge-based, interdisciplinary learning for sustainability in doctoral education.
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
Academic article
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Abelson, Filip Gornitzka;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Goucher-Lambert, Kosa;
Steinert, Ralf Martin.
(2022)
Inspirational Stimuli Improve Idea Fluency during Ideation: A Replication and Extension Study with Eye-Tracking.
Proceedings of the Design Society
Academic article
2021
-
Rintala, Sami Juhani;
Berntsen, Per Bue;
Aalto, Pasi;
Samdal, Ina;
Bye, Marie Sjue;
Jundt, Anna;
Welin-Larsen, Pernille;
Collignon, Emeline;
Kledtke, Daniel.
(2021)
Beiarn River Camp: outdoor toilet.
Architecture
-
Rintala, Sami Juhani;
Berntsen, Per Bue;
Aalto, Pasi;
Samdal, Ina;
Jalbert, Lucas;
Lacasa, Matías Mas;
Hilario, Marine;
Hassan, Rahma;
Walter, Daniel.
(2021)
Beiarn River Camp: outdoor kitchen.
Architecture
-
Rintala, Sami Juhani;
Berntsen, Per Bue;
Aalto, Pasi;
Samdal, Ina;
Ongstad, Ragnhild;
Petry, Jannik;
Reinaas, Guro;
Rosenberg, Sofie;
Teichgroeb, Kaja Linnea.
(2021)
Beiarn River Camp: off-grid cabin.
Architecture
2020
-
Kohtala, Sampsa Matias Ilmari;
Kaland, Thomas Colin Guo;
Jacobsen, Live;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin.
(2020)
Bringing Reality Back to Virtual Reality - A Collaborative
Tool for Multidisciplinary Teams.
Academic chapter
2019
-
Bertolin, Chiara;
de Ferri, Lavinia;
grottesi, giulia;
Berto, Filippo;
Aalto, Pasi Olav.
(2019)
Measuring Protocol in coupling tests on wood using the acoustic emission no-destructive technique.
Academic chapter
2016
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav.
(2016)
Skogen.
Arkitektur N
Popular science article
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Rintala, Sami Juhani.
(2016)
Phases of intensive design and build workshops in architectural education.
Academic chapter
Journal publications
-
Bråten, Lina Naoroz;
Nilsen, Berit Therese;
Muñoz, Lucia Liste;
Aalto, Pasi.
(2025)
SCRIPT TALES FROM PARTICIPATORY ENERGY TRANSITIONS: Critical Reflections from Co-Designing Energy Citizenship in a Rural Community.
Nordic Journal of Science and Technology Studies
Academic article
-
Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Aalto, Pasi;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Klöckner, Christian Andreas Nikolaus;
Steinert, Martin;
Dybvik, Henrikke.
(2025)
Pleasant walking environments enhance emotional experiences and reduce brain activation - an application of fNIRS in urban studies.
Cities: The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning
Academic article
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Cox, Christopher;
Ormerod, Isabelle;
Aalto, Pasi;
Snider, Chris.
(2025)
Users evaluating physical, virtual, and mixed reality prototypes exhibit differential DLPFC brain activity.
Scientific Reports
Academic article
-
Sahakian, Marlyne;
Zhan,, Mallory;
Epp, Julia;
Liste Munõz, Lucia;
Nilsen, Berit Therese;
Schibel, Karl Ludwig;
Reusswig, Fritz;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Haider, Julia;
Kirchler, Benjamin.
(2024)
From dispersed practices to radical socio-technical imaginaries: the role of action labs for supporting collective energy citizenship.
Consumption and Society
Academic article
-
Wuyts, Wendy;
Miatto, Alessio;
Khumvongsa, Kronnaphat;
Guo, Jing;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Huang, Lizhen.
(2022)
How Can Material Stock Studies Assist the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Cities?.
Environmental Science and Technology
Academic article
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav.
(2016)
Skogen.
Arkitektur N
Popular science article
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Mcclenaghan, Adam;
Stoyanova, Mariya Stefanova;
Svergja, Asbjørn;
Shealy, Tripp;
Snider, Chris;
Aalto, Pasi;
Steinert, Martin;
Goudswaard, Mark.
(2024)
Investigating differences in brain activity between physical and digital prototyping in open and constrained design tasks.
Proceedings of the Design Society
Academic article
-
Andalib, Elham;
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka;
Steinert, Martin;
Johansen, Agnar;
Aalto, Pasi;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2024)
The Interplay Between the Built Environment, Health, and Well-Being—A Scoping Review.
Urban Science
Academic article
-
Piccardo, Chiara;
Goto, Yutaka;
Koca, Deniz;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Hughes, Mark.
(2022)
Challenge-based, interdisciplinary learning for sustainability in doctoral education.
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
Academic article
-
Aalto, Pasi;
Steinert, Martin.
(2024)
Emergence of eye-tracking in architectural research: a review of studies 1976–2021.
Architectural Science Review
Academic literature review
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Abelson, Filip Gornitzka;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Goucher-Lambert, Kosa;
Steinert, Ralf Martin.
(2022)
Inspirational Stimuli Improve Idea Fluency during Ideation: A Replication and Extension Study with Eye-Tracking.
Proceedings of the Design Society
Academic article
-
Boccacci, Giulia;
Frasca, Francesca;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Bertolin, Chiara;
Siani, Anna Maria.
(2023)
Exploring the capability of Acoustic Emission Technique in early detecting Mode I and Mixed Mode Fractures. Construction and Building Materials.
Forces in Mechanics
Academic article
-
Ege, Daniel Nygård;
Aalto, Pasi;
Steinert, Martin.
(2024)
People, space use and objects: an UWB-based quantifying approach for post-occupancy evaluation of new architectural spaces.
Engineering Construction and Architectural Management
Academic article
Artistic productions
-
Rintala, Sami Juhani;
Berntsen, Per Bue;
Aalto, Pasi;
Samdal, Ina;
Bye, Marie Sjue;
Jundt, Anna;
Welin-Larsen, Pernille;
Collignon, Emeline;
Kledtke, Daniel.
(2021)
Beiarn River Camp: outdoor toilet.
Architecture
-
Rintala, Sami Juhani;
Berntsen, Per Bue;
Aalto, Pasi;
Samdal, Ina;
Jalbert, Lucas;
Lacasa, Matías Mas;
Hilario, Marine;
Hassan, Rahma;
Walter, Daniel.
(2021)
Beiarn River Camp: outdoor kitchen.
Architecture
-
Rintala, Sami Juhani;
Berntsen, Per Bue;
Aalto, Pasi;
Samdal, Ina;
Ongstad, Ragnhild;
Petry, Jannik;
Reinaas, Guro;
Rosenberg, Sofie;
Teichgroeb, Kaja Linnea.
(2021)
Beiarn River Camp: off-grid cabin.
Architecture
Part of book/report
-
Aalto, Pasi;
Ådnanes, Nora Linnea.
(2025)
Circular Studio - Combining Heritage, Transformation, Reuse and Emissions to a Holistic Student-Active Learning Experience in Architecture.
Academic chapter
-
Aalto, Pasi;
Dittrich, Nils Maximilian;
Triantafyllidis, Georgios;
Mutale, Lombe;
Stolz, Beatrice Alexandra Pauline.
(2025)
Mapping Trondheim’s building stock.
Academic chapter
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Alsos, Ole Andreas;
Haneberg, Dag Håkon Andre Åsmundhavn;
Steinert, Martin;
Ege, Daniel Nygård;
Sivertsen, Ingrid Berg.
(2023)
The effects of learning environments on student active learning.
Academic chapter
-
Bertolin, Chiara;
de Ferri, Lavinia;
grottesi, giulia;
Berto, Filippo;
Aalto, Pasi Olav.
(2019)
Measuring Protocol in coupling tests on wood using the acoustic emission no-destructive technique.
Academic chapter
-
Kohtala, Sampsa Matias Ilmari;
Kaland, Thomas Colin Guo;
Jacobsen, Live;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin.
(2020)
Bringing Reality Back to Virtual Reality - A Collaborative
Tool for Multidisciplinary Teams.
Academic chapter
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin.
(2023)
Wood Interiors in Architecture: an Eye-tracking Study.
Academic chapter
-
Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin;
Dybvik, Henrikke.
(2023)
Measuring the Impact of Walking Environments on Brain Activation: Results from an fNIRS Pilot Study.
Academic chapter
-
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Rintala, Sami Juhani.
(2016)
Phases of intensive design and build workshops in architectural education.
Academic chapter
-
Dybvik, Henrikke;
Abelson, Filip Gornitzka;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Goucher-Lambert, Kosa;
Steinert, Ralf Martin.
(2023)
Inspirational Stimuli Attain Visual Allocation: Examining Design Ideation with Eye-Tracking.
Academic chapter
Teaching
Courses
Outreach
2025
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LectureWilhelmsen, Åshild; Sivertsen, Ingrid Berg; Haneberg, Dag Håkon Andre Åsmundhavn; Aalto, Pasi; Alsos, Ole Andreas. (2025) SUPER Space – How to Develop Learning Rooms for Student-Active Learning in Entrepreneurship Education?. 3E conference
2023
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Conference lectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Alsos, Ole Andreas; Haneberg, Dag Håkon Andre Åsmundhavn; Steinert, Martin; Ege, Daniel Nygård; Berg, Ingrid Sivertsen. (2023) The effects of learning environments on student active learning. 19th International CDIO Conference
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Conference lectureDittrich, Nils Maximilian; Aalto, Pasi; Mueller, Daniel Beat. (2023) Circular City Information Infrastructure and material flow analysis. Under construction: Circularity in the built environment
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LectureWyckmans, Annemie Bertha Marcella; Gaitani, Niki; Aalto, Pasi Olav. (2023) Bærekraftige byer – status, kunnskapsglimt og anbefalinger. NTNU Bærekraft avslutningsseminar
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Lecture
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LectureAalto, Pasi Olav. (2023) The footprint of Wooden Heritage. Climate Change, Historic Buildings and Environment
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Lecture
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LectureAalto, Pasi Olav. (2023) Framtidas råvarer og materialer. Materialkunnskap og produksjonsmetoder i trevarebransjen
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Conference posterBrunner, Lisa Marie; Hillnhütter, Helge; Dybvik, Henrikke; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Steinert, Martin; Klöckner, Christian Andreas Nikolaus. (2023) Walking in the city - a healthy future?. NTNU Health Conference
2022
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Conference lectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Bråten, Lina Naoroz; Nilsen, Berit Therese. (2022) Energy citizenship in rural communities. Place making, third places and physical structures. ECEEE Summer studies
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Conference lectureHaneberg, Dag Håkon; Fauchald, Ragnhild Nordeng; Solvoll, Sølvi; Sivertsen, Ingrid Berg; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Bolstad, Torstein; Alsos, Ole Andreas. (2022) SUPER: Student active learning through wicked problems. 18th International CDIO Conference
2021
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Interview
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Interview
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Contribution to radio or TV
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Lecture
-
Interview
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InterviewAalto, Pasi Olav. (2021) Hytteparadokset: Jakten på klimatallene: Hvor mye forurenser hyttene i Valdres?.
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Interview
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Contribution to radio or TV
2020
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LectureAalto, Pasi Olav. (2020) Forum Wood Building Nordic - Chair, summary and discussion. Forum Wood Building Nordic 2020
2019
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Lecture
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
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Conference lecturePiccardo, Chiara; Hughes, Mark; Koca, Deniz; Goto, Yutaka; Aalto, Pasi Olav. (2019) Climate-KIC -Wood Construction in Climate Change Mitigation. Forum Wood Building Nordic 2019
2018
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Lecture
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Conference lectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Werner, Adrian; Bjørkelo, Knut; Loveland, Simon-James. (2018) Interlinking forest resources with city planning: a data-driven case study. NAF/NAAR Symposium 2018
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Lecture
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LectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Kappler, Sophie. (2018) Hvordan blir fremtidens hyttegrender?. Sluttkonferanse Fjellsatsninga
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Lecture
2017
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Conference lectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Labonnote, Nathalie; Wullum, Ole Petter. (2017) Parametric product development for wood-based SMEs: Residential Stair Example. Forum Wood Building Nordic 2017
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Lecture
-
Lecture
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Lecture
-
Lecture
2016
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Lecture
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
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LectureAalto, Pasi Olav. (2016) Hva kjennetegner norsk samtidsarkitektur i tre?. Den fjerde nasjonale trearkitekturkonferansen
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Conference lectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Rintala, Sami Juhani. (2016) Phases of intensive design and build workshops in architectural education. International Conference on Structures and Architecture
2015
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Conference poster
-
Lecture
-
Interview
-
Lecture
-
Interview
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
2014
-
Lecture
-
Conference poster
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
LectureAalto, Pasi Olav; Stokke, Per Christian. (2014) Konkurransebidrag framlagt for jury. Juryering av Kunstnerisk utsmykning av Hønesfoss VGS
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InterviewAalto, Pasi Olav. (2014) Äijälänrannan lintutorni valmistuu kansainvälisenä arkkitehtuuriyhteistyönä.
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Lecture
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Interview
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Lecture
-
Interview
-
Interview
2013
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Interview
-
Lecture
-
LectureAalto, Pasi Olav. (2013) Arkitektoniske muligheter ved urbane trebygninger. Rasjonell bruk av tre i bygg
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Interview
-
Lecture
-
Lecture
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Conference lectureSiem, Jan Helge; Braaten, Bjørn Otto; Manum, Bendik; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Gilberg, Arnstein Olav. (2013) The advantage of full-size construction as an educational tool in architecture education. Konferanse
2012
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Conference lectureSiem, Jan Helge; Braaten, Bjørn Otto; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Manum, Bendik. (2012) Research by design - A study of main differences in architectural expression, timber engineering and interaction between these when digital modelling is compared with physical modelling as design tool. World Conference on Tiber Engineering, WCTE 2012