HELENA
SANDMAN

ORIGIN

 

Born in Helsinki, Finland 1972   

 

SUMMARY

 

• Long working experience with a variety of architectural projects related to holistic sustainability

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• Expert on user engagement in design and architecture

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• Experienced in working in transdisciplinary and multi-cultural environments

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• Skillful in bringing stakeholders together and working with people in an empathic manner

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• Extensive experience of lecturing and teaching internationally

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EDUCATION

 

2021

Doctor of Arts, Department of Design, Aalto Universisty

Thesis “Empathy Matters: Architecture for the world’s majority”. (https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/107776)

2014–20

Doctoral studies a spart of the New Global interdisciplinary research group (www.newglobal.aalto.fi)

2015–16

Holistic counselor, School for Essential Counselling, Working with People trainings (workingwithpeopletrainings.com)

1999

Master of Architecture, Helsinki University of Technology

1993–94

Exchange studies at Ecole d’Architecture de Paris–Belleville, France

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INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

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2020–

Partner at Leapfrog Projects (www.leapfrogprojects.com)

2012–

Founding partner of Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects Ltd. (www.hollmenreutersandman.com)

2007–

Founding of Ukumbi NGO together with Saija Hollmén and Jenni Reuter (www.ukumbi.org)

1997–

Helena Sandman Architects Ltd.

 

SELECTED ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS

 

2024

Msanga Lyra Hostel for secondary school girls, Iringa region, Tanzania. (Ukumbi / Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects, later Ukumbi/HRS)

2023

Mseke Lyra Hostel for secondary school girls, Iringa region, Tanzania. (Ukumbi/HRS)

2023

Leading the creative and participatory ideation process of the new form of Rikhardinkatu library for Helsinki City
2022

Maduma Lyra Hostel for secondary school girls, Iringa region, Tanzania. (Ukumbi/HRS)

2022

Ecological sauna building, Carlborg, Rosala
2022–

Archipelago home, Berg, Vänö
2021

Ifwagi Lyra Hostel for secondary school girls, Iringa region, Tanzania. (Ukumbi/HRS)
2020–21

Afri-furniture, wood furniture design and value chain development project in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania as part of the sustainable forestry programme PFP2 (Leapfrog Projects)

2020

Ilambilole Lyra Hostel for secondary school girls, Iringa region, Tanzania. (Ukumbi/HRS)
2019

Sebkhat Séjoumi, Tunis, Tunisia inclusive urban development plan (Leapfrog Projects)

2018

Nyang’oro Lyra Hostel for secondary school girls, Iringa region, Tanzania. (Ukumbi/HRS)

2018

Consultant on spatial qualities for Next T project on HIV testing among youth in Tanzania (Scope)

2018

Redesign of an existing maternity clinic in Odisha, India. Responsible for the spatial design (Scope)

2016–18

Participatory affordable housing project for the Department of Urban and Rural Planning, Zanzibar, Tanzania

2016

Leading the Architectural Think Tank of the LabOur Ward –project resulting in an exhibition at the Women Conference in Copenhagen (https://scopeimpact.fi/work/lab-our-ward), (Scope)

2015

KWIECO Shelter House, Moshi, Tanzania. 1st phase finished in May 2015 (Ukumbi / HRS)

2011

Newly Drawn at Shenzhen Hong Kong Biennale for Architecture and Urbanism (HRS)

2010

Nordic Models + Common Ground. Exhibition in The Scandinavia House, New York (HRS)

2010–11

A.P.E. Learning Centre in Cairo, Egypt. Non-built project. (Ukumbi/HRS)

2009

Extension of Solvalla Sports Institute as a Conference Centre, Espoo, Finland, unrealised project

2007–09

TunaHAKI orphanage Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. Non-built project. (Ukumbi/HRS and Armstrong+Cohen), unrealised project

2001

Women’s centre in Rufisque, Senegal. (HRS)

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SELECTED ARTISTIC, EXHIBITION AND CURATORIAL WORK

2023

Birdhouses. Invited participants to represent Finland in the Concentrico architecture festival in Logroño, Spain. (HRS)

2020

Set design for the production “teceremoni” by Malin Kivelä

2016

Slowness Dignified. 15th Venice architecture biennale: Reporting from the Front, main exhibition, Venice, Italy (HRS)

2014

Lighthouse. Artistic work in group exhibition in the Nordic Pavilion at the Venice architecture biennale, The Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design in Stockholm (HRS)

2014

"From the viewpoint of the elf", photographical art work in the forest of Paloheinä, for the Tapahtumisen Tunne -exhibition

2012

Curator and design of all exhibitions at the Helinä Rautavaara Museum during the Helsinki Design Capital year

2012

Habitare Ahead! 2012 exhibition architecture (HRS)

2010

Final thesis exhibition of the Academy of Fine Arts

2010

Building Blocks, Stockholm, Sweden. (HRS)

2009

Chair bar project at the Habitare -fair. Remake a recycled chair. (HRS)

2008

10-year exhibition for the Wood Architecture award by Wood in Culture, Lahti, with Katriina Lankinen

2006

"Migrant birds", photographic work of migrant workers in Hong Kong at the exhibition Places of Arrival and Departure organised by the Arts Council of Uusimaa

 

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

 

2024

César Pelli Distinguished Lecturer at University of Illinois, School of Architecture.

The school of architecture invites one internationally recognized architect each semester to engage in multi-day co-teaching efforts in graduate studios, as well as in discussion sessions with faculty and students.

2022–23

Post doctoral position at Aalto University, Finland (part-time), research project development and planning the World in Transiton post master curriculum.

2023

Teacher at the Interplay of Cultures course, Aalto University

2020–21

Visiting professor at the BASEhabitat post-graduate program on sustainable development in the Department of Architecture at the University of Art and Design Linz, Austria

2020

Shortlisted for the position as Professor of Humanitarian Architecture, Aalto University, Department of Architecture

2020

Teacher at Sustainable Global Technologies master level studio, Aalto University

2018–20

Teacher at the Interplay of Cultures course, Aalto University

2017

Visiting critic at Mendrisio School of Architecture, Grafton Architects’ design studio

2008–15

Teacher at Basics in Architecture, Aalto University

2010–14

Teacher at the Cities in Transition course, Aalto University

2014

Teacher at the Kigali Master Class, Aalto University

2012

Teacher at the Public Building Cambodia Studio, Aalto University

2011

Visiting critic at Umeå School of Architecture, 2011

2009–10

Teacher in graphic design and exhibition planning, Finnish Academy of Fine Arts

2006

Global Studio, UN Habitat, Vancouver 06.06

2005–06

Assistant Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

2002–05

Visiting critic at Helsinki University of Technology, World Architecture

2003

Moderator and editor of papers at the international ACSA architecture conference in Helsinki

 

PRIZES AND AWARDS

 

2024

Special Mention by the Barbara Cappochin International Architecture Prize (HRS)

2023

Honorable Mention in the Architecture Sans Frontières award for Hostels for girls
in Iringa region, Tanzania (HRS)

2022

The Architecture of Necessity Award (shared 1st price) (HRS)

2017

Nominated for the Barbara Cappochin International Architecture Prize (HRS)

2016

Best Humanitarian of the Year (organized by DK Nordic Award/EOAW) (Ukumbi)

2015

Commendation for the ASF Award, (HRS)

2014

Nominated for the BSI Swiss Architectural Award 2014, (HRS)

2012

Asko Avonius Design Award, (HRS)

2011

Nominated for the Iakhov Chernikov international prize, (HRS)

2009

Finnish State Award for Art (Ukumbi)

2009

The Alfred Kordelin Prize (Ukumbi)

2008

Holcim Foundation Acknowledgement Award for Sustainable Architecture (HRS)

2004

Nomination for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (HRS)

2004

Finnish representative at the international conference “Young European Architects”, Rotterdam (HRS)

2003

Bauwelt Prize for the Women’s Centre in Senegal (HRS)

2003

Special commendation in Young Architect of the Year Award 2003, Corus and Building Design (HRS)

2002

Pietilä Award, Building Information Foundation RTS, Finland (HRS)

2002

Highly commended for the ar+d award. Emerging Architect competition organised by Architectural Review and d-line (HRS)

 

GRANTS, MEMBER OF JURIES AND BOARDS

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2024

Five year grant and the honorary title of Artist Professor from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland

2024

Member of the jury for the Future School for Ukraine international architecture competition futureschoolforukraine.eu

2022

Member of the jury for the Finnish Pavillion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023

2022

Member of the jury for the Union of International Architects student competition The Great Green Wall

2021

One year grant from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland

2020–

Boardmember of Helsinki Kunsthalle

2010–13 and 2019–22

Chairperson of the board of Ukumbi NGO

2019

Finnish Cultural Foundation one year research grant2018 Member of jury in the World Architecture Festival, category of sports and future hospital buildings

2018

Member of jury in the competition “Community center in Nepal” arranged by ARCHsharing

2017

Member of jury in the competition “Home revisited” arranged by the Asko Foundation

2016

Finnish Cultural Foundation one year research grant

2012–13

Board member of Forum Artis, organisation for art

2010

One year artistic grant from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland

2000

Atelier apartment in Cité International des Arts, Paris

1991–

Numerous grants from Finnish foundations

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SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

 

Sandman, H. (2021). Empathy Matters: Architecture for the world’s majority. Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS, Espoo, Finland. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-64-0337-3

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Sandman, H. & Suomela M. (2020). Probing for resilience: Exploring design with empathy in Zanzibar. In A. N. Martins, M. Fayazi, F. Kikano, & L. Hobeica(Eds.), Enhancing disaster preparedness: From humanitarian architecture to community resilience, (pp. 149–165). Amsterdam: Elsevier. https://www.elsevier.com/books/enhancing-disaster-preparedness/martins/978-0-12-819078-4

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Sandman, H. (2020). Shouldn’t all architecture be designed with empathy? A case of affordable-housing design in Zanzibar. Architectural Research in Finland, 4(1), 36–56. DOI:10.37457/arf.78046

Sandman, H., Meguid, T., & Levänen, J. (2020). Unboxing empathy: Reflecting on architectural design for maternal health. CoDesign. DOI: 10.1080/15710882.2020.1833935

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Sandman, H., Levänen, J., & Savela, N. (2018). Using empathic design as a tool for urban sustainability in low-resource settings. Sustainability,10(2493). DOI: 10.3390/su10072493

Hollmén, S., Reuter, J., & Sandman, H. (2018). Equality quality: Architectural planning for underprivileged groups. Architectural Research in Finland, 2(1),29–35. Full text in Acris/Aaltodoc: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201808214633.

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS IN BOOKS AND REVIEWS

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Sandman, H. (2022). Deep, deeper, deepest empathy. ARK Finnish Architecture Review. https://www.ark.fi/en/2022/02/deep-deeper-deepest-empathy/

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Lindeman, S., Sandman, H., (2018). Meeting the Complexity of the Real World. Interplay of Cultures,

Holmén S. ed. Aalto University publication series ART+ DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE

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Hollmén, S., Reuter, J., Sandman, H. (2018). The Women’s Centre. Interplay of Cultures, Holmén S. ed. Aalto University publication series ART+ DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE

 

SELECTED PROJECT PUBLICATIONS

Barbara Cappochin International Architecture Prize publication (2024).

 

“Saija Hollmén, Jenni Reuter and Helena Sandman” 100 Women Architects in Practice (2023), ISBN 9781859469637
 

“KWIECO Shelter House”, Architectural Guide Sub Saharan Africa (2021), Volume 5 Eastern Africa: From the Great Lakes to the Indian Ocean, DOM publishers, ISBN 978-3-86922-085-7
 

“Beyond Design: Finnish Architects in Senegal” Architectural Guide Sub Saharan Africa (2021), Volume 2 Western Africa: From the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahel, DOM publishers, ISBN 978-3-86922-082-6

“West Africa”, Modern Architecture, A Critical History (2020), Fifth Edition, Thames&Hudson, 
ISBN 978-0-500-20444-3

“2001 Naistenkeskus”, “2015 Turvakoti KWIECO” Toista sataa, Suomen itsenäisyyden ajan arkkitehtuuria vuosi vuodelta (2020), ISBN 978-952-7345-06-1

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Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects: KWIECO Shelter House Moshi, Tanzania (2019). Breaking Ground Architecture by Women, Phaidon Press.

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Katona, V. (2018). A search for genuine regionalism: A regenerative agenda for the peripheries. In T. I. Zaman Q. (Ed.), Transdisciplinary urbanism and culture. The urban book series. (pp. 213-226) Springer, Cham.

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Improving the architectural quality of humanitarian aid. Reporting from the front. 15th Biennale Architettura 2016.

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Empowering a community. The Architectural Review 3/2016. Women in Architecture/1429/CCXXXIX/March 2016.

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Women’s Centre, Rufi sque, Senegal, 2016, AFRICA, Architecture, Culture, Identity. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

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KWIECO Shelter House, Moshi, Tanzania 2015. World Architecture 7/2015. (on the cover)

Hollmén Reuter Sandman, BSI Swiss Architectural Award 2014. 

 

Creators’ Work and Soul, AXIS, Japan. February 2014, vol. 167

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Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects, Lighthouses. On the Common Nordic Ground. 13th International Architecture Exhibition La biennale di Venezia. Nordic Pavilion. Museum of Finnish Architecture (2012).

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Women’s Center, Rufisque, Senegal, Atlas Architecture of the 21st Century, Africa and Middle East (2011).

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Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects / Finland, Nordic Models+ Common Ground, Art and design unfolded, The American – Scandinavian Foundation (2011).

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Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects, Learning from Vernacular (2010).

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Hollmén Reuter Sandman, Newly Drawn – Emerging Finnish Architects (2009).

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Rufisque, Women’s Centre (Front cover). Design Like You Give a Damn, Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises, Architecture for Humanity. (2006).

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The Nature of Collaboration: Art and Architecture through Snow and Ice, The Snow Show 2004.

 

A+U, Architecture and Urbanism, 3/2004. ISSN 0389-9160

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Women’s Centre, Rufisque, Senegal, The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture (2003). ISBN 13: 9780714843124

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Robert Barry / Hollmén Reuter Sandman, The Snow Show, Venice, La biennale di Venezia. (2003). ISBN 0-9723063-8-2

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Hollmén – Reuter – Sandman, Lotus International, 116/2003.

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Red, yet Green, The Architectural Review, 12/2002 (Front cover).

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Saija Hollmén, Jenni Reuter and Helena Sandman, Women’s Centre, A+U, Architecture and Urbanism, 8/2002.

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PROJECTS IN SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

 

2024

Exhibition of the Barbara Cappochin International Architecture Prize, Padua, Italy

2022

Architecture of Necessity, Virserum, Sweden

2018–19

Interplay of Cultures, Museum of Finnish Architecture

2017

Work in the Barbara Cappochin prize exhibition ”Five Architecture Tables” in Padova, Italy

2016

Exhibited in the main exhibition at the 15th Biennale Architettura di Venezia

2016

Architecture of Necessity 15.5-4.12, Virserum, Sweden

2015

“AFRICA – Architecture, Culture, Identity”, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark

2015

Schools of Architecture / Africa: Connecting Disciplines in Design and Development, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA

2014

South of North, Helsinki Design Week, Teurastamo, Helsinki, Finland

2014

”Architecture – Beside and beyond” , University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA

2014

Think Global, Build Social! Architectures for a better World, Architekturzentrum, Vienna, Austria

2013–14

Transformation – Towards a Sustainable Future, Museum of Finnish Architecture

2013–14

Learning from Vernacular. Munio Gitai Weinraub Architecture Museum, Haifa, Israel

2013

Think Global Build Social, 8.6-1.9.2013, Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt

2013

Architecture of Necessity, 5.5-8.12.2013, Virserums Konsthall, Sweden

2012–14

Work in the exhibition“Lighthouses” in the Nordic Pavilion at the 13th Biennale Architettura di Venezia, The Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Architecture Museum in Stockholm, Sweden

2012–13

“Masters of recycling. Learning Centre for the Zabbaleen of Cairo” Helinä Rautavaaran Museum, Finland

2011

Newly Drawn at Shenzhen Hong Kong Biennale for Architecture and Urbanism

2011

Nordic Models + Common Ground, exhibition in The Scandinavia House, New York

2008

TunaHAKI project exhibited at University of Florida, USA

2002

Finnish pavilion (Aalto Pavilion) at the 8th Biennale Architettura di Venezia

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SELECTED LECTURES

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2024

Lecture at the Barbara Cappochin International Architecture Prize Award Ceremony , Padua, Italy

2024

University of Illinois, School of Architecture, USA

2021

Aarhus School of Architecture, Denmark

2019

Spaces of Peace, Architecture as Contextual Diplomacy conference in Brussels, Belgium

2017

RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects, UK

2017

The National Museum of Art Architecture and Design, Oslo, Norway

2018

Helsinki Design Week, Finland

2013

Aarhus School of Architecture, Denmark

2012

Design Conference Feeling for Wood, Lahti, Finland

2011

Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden

2011

Association of Siamese Architects conference, Bangkok, Thailand

2009

11th International Alvar Aalto Symposium

2007

University of Florida, Gainesville, USA

2006

Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

2006

Polytechnic University of Hong Kong

2005

Union of International Architects Istanbul Congress

2003

RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects, UK

2003

Norsk Form, Oslo, Norway

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LANGUAGES

 

Swedish (native)

 

Finnish (advanced)

 

English (advanced)

 

French (upper Intermediate)

 

Spanish (beginner)

 

Portugues (beginner)