Aalto

by Louna Lahti

Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) made a unique modernist mark. Influenced by both the landscape and the political independence of his native Finland, he designed warm, curving, compassionate buildings, wholly set apart from the slick, mechanistic, geometric designs that characterized much contemporary European practice.Whether a church, a villa, a sauna, or a public library, Aalto’s organic structures tended to replace plaster and steel with brick and wood, often incorporating undulating, wave-like forms, which would also appear in his chair, glassware, and lamp designs. An adherent to detail, Aalto insisted upon the humanity of his work “Modern architecture does not mean using immature new materials; the main thing is to work with materials towards a more human line.”Many of Aalto’s public buildings such as Säynätsalo Town Hall, the lecture theatre at Otaniemi Technical University, the Helsinki National Pensions Institute and the Helsinki House of Culture may be seen as psychological as well as physical landmarks in the rebuilding of Finland after the ravages of war.

Genres: Architecture, Design

96 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2015

Reviews

[SHU · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be much better if it contains more interior’s photos, some descriptions on the plan (cannot match some explanations with plans). It would be also improved if it has some photos of view from/to courtyard because the design of it is one of the iconic characteristics of Aalto’s architecture. But overall it is interesting one and covers many masterpieces, and I am motivated to make a trip to Finland to visit them!

[Joselu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me niego a hablar de la a-word. Respecto a la edicion, acompañaría con mas planos de mejor calidad o tamaño y que los parrafos no se corten a dos palabras de terminar la pagina

[Angelina Kotyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quote from Aalto
"We can formulate the ideal goal of architecture by saying that it is the purpose of a building to be an instrument that collects all of nature's positive forces for the resident; on the other hand architecture has the duty to protect the resident from all the unfavourable forces that occur in nature and in the building's surroundings" pg.52

This book is a concise and selective assortment of Alvar and Aino Aalto's most notorious works throug which the architects memorable style was formed.

A detail oriented insight highlights different spheres of activity such as urban zoning, architecture and design as intrinsically connected and mutually influential.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love his work! Can't wait to visit his house and studio in a couple of weeks!