Alvar Aalto: Towards a Human Modernism

by Alvar Aalto

In the opinion of such diverse designers as Robert Venturi, James Stirling, Frank O.Gehry and Hans Hollein, Alvar Aalto was the greatest architect of the century. This book, published on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth architectural historians from Finland, Sweden, England , Germany and Switzerland focus on Aalto's work. Although Aalto was a modernist architect, he could also be considered " a secret opponent within the modern movement" for his resistance to aesthetic dogmas. In his architecture he always pursued a single goal; to create architecture that was human, that is, serving the people. This volume attempts to close the gap in the scholarship on Aalto by examining his oeuvre and his influence on contemporary architecture.

Genres: Architecture

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

Noted Finnish architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto used contrasting materials; his designs include the abbey library in Mount Angel, Oregon, in 1970.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvar_A...

Reviews

[Paul]

I largely enjoyed this work on the preeminent Finnish architect. Designed as a series of essays and research papers by various architects, professors and historians, the book captured a comprehensive portrait of Aalto's life, work, theories and interactions across the profession. Some essays were excellent while others lacked some clarity and direction.