Staff profiles
When Ulla-Kirsti Junttila graduated as an urban and industrial designer from the University of Arts and Design Helsinki in 1978, urban landscape and street furniture design was only just beginning in Finland. As a result, Ulla-Kirsti decided to write her licentiate thesis on the subject while working as an eyewear designer.
Ulla-Kirsti Junttila
Urban designer
Senior Adviser
Urban planning and design
Even though there was no demand for Ulla-Kirsti's ideas in the late 1970s, the industry began to develop in the following decade, prompting Ulla-Kirsti to start her own business. In the 1990s, Ulla-Kirsti took a post at the City of Helsinki Public Works Department, where she spent 12 years designing street furniture and developing streetscapes.
Today, Ulla-Kirsti has worked at Sito for six years. In recent years, municipalities have outsourced streetscape planning and, coincidentally, Ulla-Kirsti now does a lot of the same kind of work for the city of Helsinki as when she was one of its in-house planners.
Sito's urban planning and design department employs sixteen people. In addition to her administrative role, Ulla-Kirsti participates in various city planning and development projects. You can see her touch in marketplaces and squares from Kamppi in Helsinki to the City of Kotka.
Ulla-Kirsti is currently involved in several planning projects in the heart of Helsinki.
Today, artistic value is seen as part of the quality of an urban environment. Ulla-Kirsti has participated in many art projects in different cities.
Today's young designers have a strong interest in urban planning. In addition to designers, both architects and landscape architects have found their way to this field. The planning and design sector is developing and growing all the time.
Ulla-Kirsti Junttila lives with her husband in the Helsinki suburb of Herttoniemi. Their son and daughter have already left home. Ulla-Kirsti often escapes to her allotment garden which is a five-minute bicycle ride from her home. "Going to the garden can feel like entering a different world," she says.
Even though there were no demand for Ulla-Kirsti´s ideas in the end of 1970´s, the industry began to develop in thefollowing decade, promting Ulla-Kirsti to start her own business. In 1990´s Ulla-Kirsti took post at the City of Helsinki Public Works Department, where she spent 12 years designing street furniture and developing streetscapes.
Today Ulla-Kirsti has worked at Sito since 2003. In recent years municipalities have outsourced streetscape planning and, coincidentally, Ulla-Kirsti now does alot of same kind of work for the city of Helsinki as when she was one of its in-house designers.
Sito's urban planning and design department employs nearly twenty people. In addition to her administrative role, Ulla-Kirsti partcipates in various city planning and development projects. You can see her touch in marketplaces and squares from Kamppi in Helsinki to the City of Kotka.
Ulla-Kirsti is currently involved in several planning projects in the heart of Helsinki.
Today, artistic value is seen as part of the quality of an urban environment. Ulla-Kirsti has participated in many art projects in different cities.
Todays's young designers have a strong interest in urban planning. In addition to designers, both architects and landscape architects have found their way to this field. The planning and design sector is developing and growing all the time.
Ulla-Kirsti Junttila lives with her husband in the Helsinki suburb of Herttoniemi. Their son and daughter have already left home. Ulla-Kirsti escapes often to her allotment garden which is five-minute bicycle ride away from her home. – Going to the garden can feel like entering a different world, she says.