Alvar Aalto Week in Oulu 21-30 August 2026

Oulu, the European Capital of Culture 2026, invites you to celebrate the 10th Alvar Aalto Week from 21 to 30 August 2026 under the theme Traces.

This year, Alvar Aalto’s work is particularly topical both in Oulu and around the world. In July 2026, the Aalto Works ensemble, comprising thirteen sites, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Oulu is home to three lesser-known Alvar Aalto sites designed during different decades of his career. The former industrial area of Toppila Oy, once dedicated to sulphite cellulose production, is now known as the residential district of Meri-Toppila. The estuary landscape developed according to the Koskikeskus master plan has become an integral part of Oulu’s distinctive cityscape. In Laanila, the industrial community of Typpi Oy (later Kemira), including its factory area, research centre and residential district, forms a coherent architectural whole.

In addition to these sites, Oulu is also home to Alvar Aalto’s actual handprints, preserved in a concrete slab.

You can explore Oulu’s Aalto sites on the go through the Alvar Aalto in Oulu mobile route on Citynomadi, as well as on the Visit Oulu: Alvar Aalto in Oulu website.

The aim of Oulu Alvar Aalto Week is to make Aalto’s realized designs in Oulu familiar to everyone. Throughout the week’s events, visitors can discover and experience the traces, structures and stories embedded in our built environment in a variety of ways.

The programme features a wide range of events related to Alvar Aalto and the built environment. The programme is being continuously updated on this page, with more content still to come.

Stay tuned!