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Hella Hernberg

Hella Hernberg

Postdoctoral researcher

 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6915-2975
  • Phone+358 50 304 2551
20082026

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Artistic and research interests

Hella Hernberg is an architect and scholar whose work advances the care and revitalization of existing spaces and properties as an alternative for demolition and new construction. She focuses on the intermediation of complex multi-stakeholder processes to advance urban sustainability transformations. Her research approach intersects with sustainability transitions, architecture, planning, urban studies, and participatory design. Her current research project, Capabilities of Care, 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 Architects as ‘Mediators’ – Socio-political roles in mediating the ‘temporary use’ of vacant spaces, won the Aalto ARTS Dissertation Award. Hella’s research also builds on her professional expertise as an architect working with the participatory revitalization of vacant spaces since 2008.

In 2025, Hernberg led the international Aalto ARTS Summer School on Spatial Practices beyond New Construction, which won the Aalto ARTS Act of the Year award. Currently, she also works as a senior researcher at the BIOS research unit. Previously, she ran her own company, Urban Dream Management, and in 2012-13, she worked as a strategic designer at the Ministry of the Environment.

Education/Academic qualification

Doctoral degree, Arts and Design, Aalto University

Award Date: 27 Jun 2022

Master's degree, Architecture, Helsinki University of Technology

Award Date: 23 Sept 2008

Keywords

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

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  2. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  3. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  4. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  5. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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View all 32 research outputs

  • New Cotton: New Cotton

    Niinimäki, K. (Principal investigator), Moreira, N. (Project Member), Yau, N. (Project Member), Auranen, A. (Project Member), Karell, E. (Project Member), Lewe, E. (Project Member) & Hernberg, H. (Project Member)

    01/10/2020 → 30/09/2023

    Project: EU H2020 Framework program

View all 35 activities