Design 200: Assignment 2

Alvar Aalto (1898 – 1976)

Alvar Aalto, a Finnish architect and designer, was born on February 3, 1898 in a small village in Central Finland. Aalto’s homeland and upbringing influenced his style of architecture throughout his career. Over 40 years, Aaltos architectural style evolved with the times; starting with a style rooted in the classical architecture (at times close to National Romantic architecture) and continuing to a functionalist and modernist style of architecture. However, his architectural style always combined the use of natural materials and organic forms.

Aalto’s exploration of rationalism and modernist ideas led to the design of the Paimo Sanatorium which included the design of the buildings, furnishings, and materials used in the sanatorium. This allowed Aalto to showcase his work in furnishings and eventually led to international recognition that earned him commissions in the United States. Between 1933 and 1950, Aalto designed some of his most noteworthy architecture including Villa Mairea and was showcased in Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in Paris and the World’s Fair in New York.

The significance of Aalto’s work lies in his ability to surpass various architecture styles and combine his appreciation for the natural environment and the abundances of the machine age to create versatile designs. I chose Alvar Aalto because I wanted to learn more about his connection with the modernist movement and how his designs relate to various other architects of his era. I found his ability to mold his style into the architecture of his time to be inspiring and admirable. Alvar was also a unique educator in the sense that he did not involve himself with formal education but was a believer in apprenticeship and experiential education.