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1. History of Architecture –II
Department Of Architecture
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU)
HundeM.W.
Lecture 08

2. The Architecture Of
Alvar Aalto

3. •Biography
•Alvar Aalto was a visionary architect who made significant contributions to the field of
modern architecture.
•His work is characterized by a unique blend of functionalism, organic form, and a deep
connection to the natural world.
•Alvar Aalto born in Kuortane, Finland 1898 and died in 1976
•He held the position of Professor of Architecture at MIT1946 to 1948, and was President of
the Academy of Finland 1963-68.

4. •Biography
•Regardedasthefirstandthe
mostinfluentialarchitectsof
Nordicmodernism
•Hiswife,AinoAaltowasalso
anarchitectanddesigner

5. •Biography
•Although his early work borrowed from the neoclassic movement, he eventually adapted
the symbolism and functionalism of the Modern Movement to generate his plans and forms.
•Aalto's mature work embodies a unique functionalist/expressionist and humane style,
successfully applied to libraries, civic centers, churches, housing,etc.
•His works are characterized by rationalist spirit but –mixed of popular tradition and local
materials, mainly wood, so common in his native region.
•His buildings are warm and thought to be appropriate for human beings and the dimension
of human body, something in which Wright influence can be noticed.

6. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

7. •Biography
•Although Aalto borrowed from the International Style, he utilized texture, colorand structure
in creative new ways.
•He refined the generic examples of modern architecture that existed in most of Europe.
•His designs were particularly significant because of their response to site, materialand form

8. Villa Mairea 1938
-
39

9. •He synthesized rationalist architecture with an organic language of form.
•Combining materials and making the landscape part of the building.

10. •Paimio Sanatorium (1929-1933) was the first building Aalto designed that was furnished
entirely with his own factory-made furniture.
•Aalto's modern furniture is essentially linked with inventions about the bending of wood
•the interior design and furnishings had to be in harmony with the architectural style of the
building.

11. Organic architecture
•“Nature, not the machine, is the most important model for architecture” -Aalto, 1938
•The freeform, undulating(smoothly rising and falling form or outline) shapes of the objects in
the Aalto collection are like the Finnish landscape with its thousands of lakes –beautiful, alive
and untamed.
•While Alvar Aalto designed modern architecture, his designs stand out from his fellow modern
designers of the time with his unique features from nature and specified functionality.

12. Aalto’s Modernism
•“Aalto is firmly committed to Functionalism, buta Functionalism that is grounded in humanist
priorities...The overwhelming significance of his work lies above all in his direct approach to
the operational and experiential factors in the functions of day to day living”

13. Characteristics
•Aalto’s buildings tend to display curvilinear, vegetal forms inspired from nature.
•modern use of materials, and ribbon windows.
•A mixture of Finish vernacular and the modern aspects.

14. Works
•JyväskyläUniversity Building (1951)
•House of Culture (1955
•SäynätsaloTown Hall (1949)
•Stephanuskirche(1968)
•Viipuri Library (1935)
•Heilig Geist Kirche(1962)
•MuuratsaloExperimental House (1953)
•Maison Louis Carré(1959)
•RiolaParish Church (1978)
•MIT Baker House Dormitory (1948)

15. University of
Jyväskylä

16. University of
Jyväskylä

17. University of Jyväskylä

18. University of
Jyväskylä

19. University of
Jyväskylä

20. University of
Jyväskylä

21. University of
Jyväskylä

22. University of
Jyväskylä

23. University of
Jyväskylä

24. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

25. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

26. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

27. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

28. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

29. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

30. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

31. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

32. Säynätsalo
Town Hall

33. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

34. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

35. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

36. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

37. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

38. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

39. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

40. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

41. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

42. •Undulating ceiling of wood
•He also designed the stools
•The elaborate acoustic
properties of the ceiling
Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

43. •Undulating ceiling of wood
•He also designed the stools
•The elaborate acoustic
properties of the ceiling
Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

44. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

45. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

46. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

47. Viipuri Public Library. 1927
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35

48. MUURATSALO EXPERIMENTAL HOUSE by Alvar Aalto
•The Experimental house (1952-54) was Elissa and Alvar Aalto’s self-designed atelier and
summer residence.
•It was inspired by the idea of an Ancient Roman atrium.
•The Experimental House is located in a beautiful spot on the rocky shore of Lake Päijänne,
sheltered by the coastal forest.
•This is where Aalto had the freedom to experiment with different materials, forms,
techniques and proportions.”

49. Muuratsalo
Experimental House 1952
-
1954

50. Muuratsalo
Experimental House 1952
-
1954

51. Muuratsalo
Experimental House 1952
-
1954

52. MuuratsaloExperimental House 1952-1954

53. Muuratsalo
Experimental House 1952
-
1954

54. Muuratsalo
Experimental House 1952
-
1954

55. Villa Mairea 1938-39
•The masterwork of Aalto’s pre-war career
•Clients were extremely wealthy and told Aalto to regard it as an ‘experimental house.’
•Aalto capitalized on the client in much the same way as Le Corbusier did with the Villa Savoye
•L shaped plan creates a semi private enclosure
•Various textures and coloursof wood applied
•Solar shading
•Strong integration with site

56. Villa Mairea 1938-39

57. Villa Mairea 1938-39

58. Villa Mairea 1938
-
39

59. Villa Mairea 1938
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39

60. Villa Mairea 1938
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39

61. Villa Mairea 1938-39

62. Villa Mairea 1938
-
39

63. Villa Mairea 1938-39

64. Maison Louis Carré

65. Maison Louis Carré

66. Maison Louis Carré

67. Maison Louis Carré

68. Maison Louis Carré

69. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

70. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

71. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

72. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946
Maximizing the
view of the river
for every student

73. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

74. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

75. MIT Baker House Dormitory 1946

76. RiolaParish Church
•Aalto’s distinct vision for the church came to fruition after Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro, the
Archbishop of Bologna, invited him to design this sacred edifice upon viewing his work in an
exhibition in Florence.
•Aalto accepted the challenge and thus embarked on a journey that would result in the creation of
an extraordinary piece of ecclesiastical architecture.

77. RiolaParish Church
INTERIOR:
Light:
•Northern light filters through asymmetrical ribs, creating a dramatic and diffused
illumination.
•Intense light focuses on the altar, emphasizing its importance.
Aesthetics:
•Modernist style with minimal adornment.
•Key features: architectural arches and natural light.
•Unique element: Narrow window with a scenic view.
Exterior
Form:
•Geometric shapes converge at a central point, symbolizing unity.
•Reflects the surrounding mountains.

78. RiolaParish Church

79. Riola
Parish Church

80. Riola
Parish Church

81. Riola
Parish Church

82. Riola
Parish Church

83. Riola
Parish Church

84. RiolaParish Church

85. Paimio Sanatorium in Paimio, Finland
•The Paimio Sanatorium is a tuberculosis sanatorium designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto.
•Originally a tuberculosis sanatorium, later converted into a general hospital, and now a private
rehabilitation center for children.
•It was completed in 1933.
•The sanatorium is considered to be one of Aalto's most important works and a significant example of
Modern architecture.

86. Paimio Sanatorium “an instrument of healing”
•The best cure for tuberculosis was exposure to sun, fresh air, and greenery
•Patients rooms in long 6 story slab facing south
•Open roof terrace on the top floor
•Precise attention was given to sunlight control at angles for winter and summer sun

87. Paimio Sanatorium 1929
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33

88. Paimio Sanatorium 1929
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33

89. Paimio Sanatorium 1929
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33

90. Paimio Sanatorium 1929
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33

91. Paimio Sanatorium 1929-33

92. Paimio Sanatorium 1929-33

93. Paimio Sanatorium 1929
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33

94. Furniture and products
•He is known for his use of natural materials, such as wood and birch, and his innovative use of
bent plywood.
•Aalto's furniture is characterized by its clean lines, simple forms, and functional design.
•Stool 60
•Armchair 41
•Aalto Vase

95. Paimio Armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto
manufactured by Huonekalu-ja RakennustyötehdasOy, 1932 –33

96. Paimio Armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto
manufactured by Huonekalu-ja RakennustyötehdasOy, 1930

97. Paimio Armchair (details), designed by Alvar Aalto,
manufactured by
Huonekalu
-
ja
Rakennustyötehdas
Oy, 1930

98. Stool, designed by Alvar Aalto
manufactured by
Artek
, 1929
–
30

99. Armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto
manufactured by
Artek
, 1929

100. Savoy vase, Alvar Aalto, 1937

101. BÖLGEBLICK TUMBLER, JUG AND PLATE, Designed By Aino MarsioAalto

102. Main characteristics
•Organic architecture + Modern architecture
•Natural forms, warm color curved or undulating lines.
•Organic materials vs. artificial materials
•Finland vernacular
•Courtyards
•Extensive use of natural materials specially Brick and wood
•A synthesis of rational with intuitive design principles

103. Quotes
"The best way to acquaint oneself with architecture is not to read about it: it is to look, touch,
smell, and listen to it -a building only gains meaning when it becomes part of human life."