‘I taught at the Helsinki University of Technology and then dedicated myself to a career in civil service and doctoral research. The professorship offered a natural opportunity to combine my interests: teaching, research and practice. So, I returned to Otaniemi after a long break in 2017. I wanted to come specifically to build on research in landscape architecture and, through that, to contribute to my field.
My career so far has shaped me as a researcher and teacher. My background as a designer has helped me to understand the broad scope of the subject I study, and also the roles of the different stakeholders: policy makers, designers, builders, maintainers and residents – including nature itself – who influence landscape architecture. I also stress the importance of the applicability of research knowledge. Landscape architecture has the ability to produce research-based practical applications that not only solve societal problems but also produce a meaningful and experiential environment by combining art, science and the humanities.’
What brought you to Aalto?
‘I taught at the Helsinki University of Technology and then dedicated myself to a career in civil service and doctoral research. The professorship offered a natural opportunity to combine my interests: teaching, research and practice. So, I returned to Otaniemi after a long break in 2017. I wanted to come specifically to build on research in landscape architecture and, through that, to contribute to my field.
My career so far has shaped me as a researcher and teacher. My background as a designer has helped me to understand the broad scope of the subject I study, and also the roles of the different stakeholders: policy makers, designers, builders, maintainers and residents – including nature itself – who influence landscape architecture. I also stress the importance of the applicability of research knowledge. Landscape architecture has the ability to produce research-based practical applications that not only solve societal problems but also produce a meaningful and experiential environment by combining art, science and the humanities.’
What are the highlights of your career?
‘I have been a pioneer – the first PhD landscape architect in Finland and the first tenured research professor in our field, and before that the first landscape architect in the Parks Department of the City of Tampere. These have been highlights, and although blazing the trail has been arduous, I am glad to have been able to do it. I'm also glad that the narrow trail I blazed is now a wide one – I enjoy seeing our profession grow.
Landscape architecture is a very young discipline and there are no established traditions in research – you have to create them yourself. Each research project is its own highlight. My previous work history influences the way I approach research in a broad, multi-method, multi-disciplinary and experimental way. As a landscape architecture researcher, you have to learn to be brave enough to experiment and be creative in a wide range of situations and in teams with experts from different disciplines.’
‘I have been a pioneer – the first PhD landscape architect in Finland and the first tenured research professor in our field, and before that the first landscape architect in the Parks Department of the City of Tampere. These have been highlights, and although blazing the trail has been arduous, I am glad to have been able to do it. I'm also glad that the narrow trail I blazed is now a wide one – I enjoy seeing our profession grow.
Landscape architecture is a very young discipline and there are no traditions – you have to create them yourself. Each research project is its own highlight. My previous work history influences the way I approach research in a broad, multi-method, multi-disciplinary and experimental way. As a landscape architecture researcher, you have to learn to be brave enough to experiment and be creative in a wide range of situations and in teams with experts from different disciplines.’
