Fernando Nieto (Barcelona, 1978) is a Helsinki-based architect, researcher and lecturer. Since 2014 he works within Group X at Aalto University Department of Architecture (School of Arts, Design and Architecture) as a postdoctoral researcher of Emergent Design Methodologies and teacher of design studio courses. He holds a PhD in Advanced Architectural Design from the Technical University of Madrid (ETSAM-UPM, 2014, Summa Cum Laude, International Mention), a Master of Advanced Studies in Collective Housing (ETSAM-UPM, 2006) and a Master of Architecture from the University of Valladolid (ETSAVA-UVA, 2004).
He has gained various research grants such as the postgraduate scholarship from “la Caixa” Foundation or the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Scholars and Artists to do research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich, 2013-14). His research interests stem from a deliberate, equidistant position between architectural theory and practice and are focused on design methodologies, as well as the search for new relations with other disciplines within the artistic, research and editorial practices. His research work has been published in specialized journals and shortlisted in the 11th Biennial Competition for Doctoral Dissertations in Architecture arquia/tesis 2017 by Arquia Foundation.
He holds a professional practice for more than a decade. His work as an architect, alone and in collaboration with other architects, has won several awards and mentions, highlighting the j5 Competition for Young Architects in Andalusia, the Municipal Civic Centre in Boecillo (Valladolid), the CSCAE Experience/Future Competition, the VIII Architectural Awards of Castilla y León, the V Enor Architectural Awards or the NAN Awards for Architecture and Construction. His work has been exhibited at the IV Conference of Architects of Spain in Valencia or the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art Patio Herreriano in Valladolid. He is a member of the Professional Association of Architects of Madrid (COAM) and the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA), and he has been COAM correspondent in Finland.
He is co-founder and co-editor-in-chief at HipoTesis Platform. His work as an editor has been awarded, always with collaborative works, among others in the 8th Latin American Biennial of Architecture and Urban Planning (VIII BIAU, 2012), the 13th Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (XIII BEAU, 2016) and the FAD Awards in the category of Thought and Critique (First Prize ex aequo, 2016).
2015/ Teacher of Architectural Design. Aalto University. Finland
2014/ Postdoctoral Researcher. Aalto University. Finland
2014 PhD in Advanced Architectural Design. ETSAM. Excellent Cum Laude. International Mention
2013/14 Visiting Researcher. ETH Zurich. Switzerland
2013 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Scholars and Artists
2013 Built work. Library and Socio-Cultural Centre in Jávea
2013 Built work. Renovation of apartment in Madrid
2013 Built work. Single-family house in Madrid
2011 Built work. Social Housing in Madrid
2009/ HipoTesis platform. Founder/Editor-in-chief
2008 Built work. Civic Centre in Boecillo
2007 Diploma of Advanced Studies-Research Proficiency. ETSAM
2006 MAS in Collective Housing. ETSAM
2005 First Prize. Civic Centre in Boecillo
2005 Scholarship for postgraduate studies. “la Caixa” Foundation
2004 Architect ETSAV. Master’s Thesis with grade Excellent 9/10
2003 COIE Scholarship
2001/02 Erasmus Scholarship. NTUA Athens. Greece
2000 Professional Intermediate-level of Music (specialty in Piano). Professional Conservatory of Music in Valladolid