451515S RESTAUROINTI book report

Alvar Aalto: A life works - Architecture, Design and Art

Sanyung Lee

background of choosing this book for essay:

Before I start essay, I want to talk about why I choose this book - About Alvar Aaltos life and entire
archive of his works. Majority of Asia countries, especially in South Korea, Alvar Aalto is famous by his
industrial design, not his architecture. After spending my first mater semester in Finland, I was shocked since
importance of Alvar Aalto in Finland is more than I thought. And I also amazed by wide and diverse
spectrum of his various architecture works. In the end, I want to know more about Alvar Aalto and his
works, not only industrial design also his genuine architecture. With my this strong desire, when I saw this
book on the table of AHKO, there is no other options. In addition, second excursion to Kurikka, in Seinjoki,
visiting Alvar Aaltos buildings was helpful, and this experience promoted my further curiosity. As a result,
my first book choice should be this book. Alvar Aalto: A life works - Architecture, Design and Art is quite a heavy
book for me to read, but even if I cannot absorb every works and stories behind it. I believe this book
probably helps me and my understanding about Alvar Aalto and his works better than ever.
About Gran Schildt:
Before start reading, my curiosity forces me to study about author of this book, Gran Schildt. I did
not dig too deep, since the reason of my curiosity was lots of book about Alva Aalto by Gran Schildt. Why
is it? That was my source of wonder.
Gran Schildt was born in Helsinki at 1917. He was art historian, author, and writer. He met Alvar
Aalto in Daphne -the boat, Gran Schildt also done sailing over mediterranean sea-, since Alvar Aalto was
one of the guests who visited. Gran Schildt was most important observer of Alvar Aalto. Through entire
life, Gran Schildt wrote several books about Alvar Aalto, and biography of Alvar Aalto was most famous
one-Alvar Aalto - his life. Gran Schildt could share same background with Alvar Aalto, and because of this,
his books about Alvar Aalto were value.
He spent 15 years for Alvar Aaltos biography. In foreword of this book, he listed financial supporters
during researching and writing Alvar Aaltos biography. He wrote that he can understand how he survive
during his first 8 year of research, but he wrote about after 7 years of livelihood compensation, and it was
mystery. I thinks his passion toward his work, especially as the Alvar Aaltos most important interpreter, was
unbelievably amazing. Alvar Aalto: A life works - Architecture, Design and Art was forth part of Alvar Aaltos
biography. Gran Schildt wrote about this in foreword, first to third part of biography about Alvar Aalto
were more about his life, friends, artistic, and success. However, this book was purely about Alvar Aaltos
works. Gran Schildt tried to make this book as a archive of Alvar Aaltos entire works. I was very
impressed his concentration and carefulness about Alvar Aaltos working footprint.
*To understand about Gran Schildt, I have done quick research on web. information may wrong, but main purpose of quick research was basic
understanding between Gran Schildt and Alvar Aalto.

Outline:
Original structure of book contents are eleven chapters. From 1st to 8th chapter are about
architecture and planning, 9th chapter about interior, 10th chapter about design and art, and 11th chapter is
about Alvar Aaltos exhibition. From large scale to vary small scale, the way of approach of book is classic,

but pretty clear to show Alvar Aaltos archive. In this book report I wrote, I divided 11 chapter to 5
compilation chapter, since there are lots of projects and categories, and I have only 10 pages. Thus want to
organize big categories. Each chapters structures are basic description about chapter, opinion from my
perspective, and several mentions about selected projects-I choose by my own interest since I cannot
describe all projects. When I choose projects that I want to mention, I try to choose more featured one.
1st chapter is City and City planning. macroscopic view of his perspective.
2nd chapter is Public and Culture, architecture about public spaces and cultural spaces.
3rd chapter is Work places, architecture about offices and business related buildings.
4th chapter is Housing projects and Interior, I put interior here since I thought it is more connected with
housing.
5th chapter is about Industrial design and fine arts. His furniture, lighting, glass objects, and Etc are one way
to understand his philosophy.
In Epilogue, I wrote my impression and feelings after reading.
City and Plan
Alvar Aaltos many of architectural inspirations about cityscape and city planning were came from
Italian way of thinking. I could find this evidence in this book often. [1]The first plans are highly Classicistic
and inspired by Italy. - Jyvskyl plan [2]The square appears in his work occasionally as a forum, but it also
rooted in the piazza - Italians outdoor living room. Italian inspirations were reflected not only in planning
also architecture and interior too. In Aaltos planning, basically his plan looks vary aesthetic, but his real
purpose hidden behind was different. [3]his real purpose was the complete harmonization of life, including
both a biologically acceptable solution to environmental problems and a humanistically oriented society.
Alvar Aalto was one of best architect who respect nature and environment, and in most of his project, he
pursued proper relationship between nature and human. Even though not much Alvar Aaltos planning were
not actually conducted, fundamental interpretation of his planning toward city and society were noticeably
chasing these basic principle.
Regional plan for the Kokemenjoki river valley: Center idea for this massive planning was organic
connection between functions along the river. This plan was Finlands first regional planning. There were
specified needs from government and local authorities. To meet their needs, Alvar Aalto used exotic
approach to solve this tricky projects problem. Alvar Aaltos idea basis was macroscopic [4]overall solution
which is giving equal importance to all functions, such as geographic, economic, demographic, historic, and
cultural matters. Like other planning, Aalto also considered livelihood, he tried to make sufficient housing
area in this planning. Referencing this projects master plan, easy to notice Aaltos organic-connection base
approach, from sea harbor to core of land.
Master plan of Imatra: In this project, [5]Alvar Aalto started from three existing village, and he
planed totally new living settlement around thirty kilometers long living area. In my opinion, Master plan of
Imatra was one of the most nature friendly project of his planning. The reason is that his settlement plan and
extension plan for living area were strongly focused on connection with nature, and newly added plan in
1955-plan for the Vuoksi riverbank- also made whole master plan more nature-friendly. In the article wrote
in 1957, The master plans green web, Alvar Aalto called Imatra as a Forest town. This represented his
fundamental image and idea toward Imatra project.
Master plan for Kivenlahti-Soukka, Espoo: Alvar Aalto was commissioned this project. This project
also like Regional plan for the Kokemenjoki river valley, focus of Aaltos perspective was variety ways of
connection with nature. And Alvar Aalto himself also considered this project important, and pour his time
many. Project site was along the sea shore, and Aalto arranged his planning functions along the shore with
organic connection. [6]The plan provided organic connection from all living area to public programs

conveniently and easily. In the end, this project dumped in to waste bin, since for some economical reasons
from industry.
Change the perspective little more specific, about city district scale, such as blocks or centre area,
Alvar Aalto had original passion toward antiquity and Italian style- Renaissance related. However in his
actual plan, Alvar Aaltos plan was sometimes bold, radical, and realistic. His ways of planning were hard to
characterize with classical or modern, but not [7]backward-looking style, not like old fashion. One of the
most distinguishable feature of Alvar Aaltos planning perspective was planning city centre with cultural
function based, and this his clear approach was not a common way at that time of Finland, specially among
Rationalist. City planning is also bing scale project. Not many plans were actually realized or carried out,
such as Seijoki its centre, Alajrvi city centre, and Rovaniemi town were carried out well with Alvar Aaltos
original planning.
Seijoki city centre plan competition: I do not have much actual experience which is visit Alvar
Aaltos buildings, thus the excursion to Seijoki city and visiting Alvar Aaltos city centre planning works
were precious experience. The stories behind this competition are quite interesting. His idea, especially
about squares connection from infant of church to theater, was interesting idea. During visiting Seijoki site,
hard to read whole picture of plan with eye level. With the figures in books, I can sense Alvar Aaltos whole
idea more clearly.
Plans for the new center of Helsinki: This bold and huge plan was, in the end, not carried out except
Finlandia hall and Congress hall. Alvar Aaltos plan, however, reflected historical situation of Finland. Actually
Helsinki city confirm this city district plans implementation, several reasons-such as budget problemspostponed, and most of original planed parts were remain just as a plan. Alvar Aaltos radical plan looks
progressive, but beneath of its idea, Aalto considered seriously harmonization of existing context and new
city planning.[8] When we consider about planning the city center, there are two kinds of scenery
involved, the so-called urban scenery and the original scenery As you can see, considering Helsinkis
various conditions before planning, Alvar Aalto wanted preserving its original, and than trying to harmonize
with new proposal.
[1]p.9 planning, description about Jyvskyl plan
[2]p.30 Alvar Aaltos features in his City planning
[3]p.9 Alvar Aaltos main purpose on planning
[4]p.16 Regional plan for Kokemenjoki river valley
[5]p.22 Master plan of Imatra
[6]p.28 figure description about Master plan for Kivenlahti-Soukka, Espoo
[7]p.30 about Alvar Aaltos city planning style. author mentioned about his taste and style about city planning, but did not want to conclude.
[8]p.35 Aaltos writing

Public and Culture:

In this chapter, originally consisted with three chapters. Religious Buildings and Facilities, Buildings
for Physical Health, and Cultural Buildings are original categories.
Religious architecture is sensitive and important category for architect, and also hard to meet
clients needs and intention of architect too. Architect should be use he or her design methods diverse way
in religious project. Sometimes directly, sometimes metaphorically, try to deliver the truth of religion by
without words. For Alvar Aalto, his religious was different among others. Alvar Aaltos church architectures
were contained certain features. first, Aaltos earlier church plans were influenced a lot from Italian culture.
Second, after 1930, through his decision to pursue functionalism, his religious buildings style also completely
changed. Third, because of several economical reasons, Alvar Aaltos new church plan designs were multi
functional building to compensate this . Forth, Aaltos church plans were more traditional than other his
works.

Most of existing Aaltos church projects were conducted in restoration context. About Alvar Aaltos
stance toward restoring building, you can understand his point of view from this sentence. [1]The restorer
had to choose between preserving the various forms accumulated over the centuries, repairing the church
to its condition at some specific point of time,or producing new variations on old forms. Aalto usually
choose the latter course. As a result, his restoration project about churches were more like new renovation
project.
Alvar Aaltos church planning, on the other hand, we can use his style changes of church planning as
a milestone of Aaltos architectural style advancement. 1920s Alvar Aaltos churches more like strong Italian
style. And throughout 1930s to 40s, his plan for new churches were transformed to functionalism. After
1950s, Alvar Aaltos church designs were turned in to sculpturesque form. This transform of his design style
was applied to all of his works.
Muurame Church(designed 1926, completed 1929): 1924, Alvar Aalto was in Italy and it was his first
trip. During this trip, he was so impressed Italian church. In Muurame Church project, he applied his
impression and inspiration from trip to Italy. In addition, in this project, there was interesting point about its
implementation. Because of Alvar Aaltos transformation to functionalist, some lightings and furnitures were
planed with functionalist style. For this project Aalto made lots of drawings for interior and details for this
project.
Seinjoki Church, parish facilities, and vicarage: Large piazza, separated parish, and tower are
distinguish features of Seinjoki Church. This churchs role in Seinjoki center plan was vary important. Alvar
Aalto also mentioned about its roll. [2]The whole centre begin with - the church. Around it developed the
cluster of other public buildings. which never would have been possible without the churchs initiative. Main
building of churchs elements were vary interesting, since it is combination of several slightly different styles.
This church include small baptistery and wedding chapel too, and stained glass which is inside of chapel
designed by Alvar Aalto.
Church centre in Riola, Italy: For me, original plan of Riola is best of Alvar Aaltos church works. This
project well represent Alvar Aaltos sculpturesque style, especially inside structure is incredible. Huge
concrete-arch shape roof structures are vary impressive. there is no completed picture in this book, I tried
too find some pictures on web, and it is great and well represent his style. This project had connection with
Seinjoki church, most similar feature was piazza in front of the church. Unfortunately, completed with not
exact same plan of Alvar Aalto, but still basic concept of his idea was survived. In original plan, there were
old peoples house and kindergarten in site, but those were not built.
Health related facilities are one of the core public building in cityscape. Alvar Aaltos fundamental
idea is the same principle as current idea about space for health care-[3]physical health is not an isolated
phenomenon. Nowadays, majority of interior architects, architects, and designers considering effects from
their design to peoples body and mental system, but in 1920, definitely not a dominated idea. Because of
Alvar Aaltos this human-friendly approach, his buildings for physical health were more suitable than just
ordinary buildings. These unique idea was not only for buildings for physical health also sport related
buildings too. This category of function was Alvar Aaltos one of his important concern, and he tried to built
decent space for peoples better life. Even though his interest about this area, actually his achievement on
this category were not many. Alvar Aalto attended several competitions, but except one of his main project
Paimio, after that, there was no more winning in competition.
Competition entry and implementation of Paimio tuberculosis sanatorium: Changing L-shape
window by practical reason was one of the huge loss of this project, but original idea about this building,
building as a medical instrument-was well retained. Especially Alvar Aaltos approach toward patient space
was interesting. He pursue perfect peace of individual patients room, and he choose every factors of room
by this mean.

Competition for a building complex for sports, concerts, exhibitions, and congresses at
Vogelweidplatz,Vienna, Austria: [4]This project was one of his most advanced sports building design for
multipurpose hall. This amazing project, personally I am so into this project, was bold, aggressive and
progressive. Theme of idea and Alvar Aaltos idea also really good but this huge structure was too costly, and
at that moment, structural stability about plan. In the end, Aaltos plan did not selected but still this stadium
plan was one of the incredible design of Alvar Aalto. The new approach to large structure was brilliant, and
planned shape also impressive.
About Sauna Bath, I read Alvar Aaltos interesting story about sauna in the book. His most of sauna
projects were for individual, such as for friends house, and enhancing quality of local peoples life. I really
prefer traditional sauna, and in this context, there was fun episode. [5]When electric sauna released, after in
which Villa Skeet sauna was planned, Alvar Aalto said to Gran Schildt: If you intend to heat your sauna
electrically, I will only say that you shouldnt expect me to bathe with you. Definitely he loved traditional
way of sauna.
Cultural Building projects are [6]Alvar Aaltos most important and most inspired contribution to
architecture, and also among his archives. Alvar Aaltos perspective towards cultural contents was core
contents of peoples life which is giving people meaning to themselves and making human keeping to be
itself. And Aalto always tried to give users total freedom when they use these cultural space, since his key
idea about cultural space was Free will and self-determination.
Helsinki University of Technology main building in Otaniemi, Espoo: This project came from
competition, and Aalto won the prize. This auditorium building plan was bold, and its sculpturesque shape
was powerful. Special feature of auditorium is to keep maximum number of audience, Aalto install the
temporary partition to separate auditorium follow different occasions. This auditorium was connected with
other buildings, after its completion, additional buildings which planned by other architect were also
connected with this project.
House of Culture, Helsinki: This building was for The Finnish Communist Party, and building included
partys headquarter. Especially this projects auditorium was planed really carefully since for multipurpose, its
shape, structure and acoustic were cautiously planned. This project is important since its influence for other
projects. House of Culture his the asymmetrical auditorium, in which Alvar Aalto perfected the idea of the
backward-growing rear wall introduced in the Kuopio Theatre entry, and later applied for other similar
auditorium buildings.
Opera and music theatre in Essen, Germany: Asymmetrical auditorium of this great opera house is
fantastic. It was completed after Alvar Aaltos death, but one of the most beautiful cultural building he
planned. [7]Especially inside Northern Light wall-in the New York Worlds Fair pavilion- like balcony rows
are special figure of interior. This Aalto vase like balcony rows were beautiful, and Alvar Aalto mentioned
about these in description of competition. [8]The purpose of the auditoriums asymmetrical form is that
the house will not seem empty even with smaller audiences. Exterior material and ceiling acoustics were
caused some problems, and Aaltos genuine part of designs were lost during the construction, in the end of
implementation was not good enough. However, still this building is one of beauty, and especially interior is
one of his mater piece.
[1]p.39 church renovations and restorations, about Alvar Aaltos stance.
[2]p.50 end part of Seinjoki project description, Alvar Aaltos mention
[3]p.67
[4]p.71 description about Alvar Aaltos sports facilities
[5]p.77
[6]p.79
[7]p.104 description about Opera and music theatre in Essen
[8]p.104 description about Opera and music theatre in Essen

Work places:
Work places category can be sub-divide as following three categories, Offices, Industrial facilities,
and Commercial buildings. Like Housing-Living area, work place is crucial part, and it takes a huge portion of
our daily routine life. To support our own livelihood, to realize our own dream, and to achieve our own
wish, we spend lots of our daily time and sweat in our workplace. This space is also important, actually we
spend more than half of our daily time in workplace. Alvar Aaltos notion towards working facility rooted his
ideal purpose. After war, he was also wanted to tribute to making a better world through architecture. This
ideal could not achieve by exotic mater piece of great architect. It could be get from improving basic
standard of life and working space.[1] Alvar Aaltos industry related projects were might not look so special
than other his projects, but basis of his approach came from more big picture.
Working with government was not a perfect job for Alvar Aalto. Gran Schildt remind about Alvar
Aaltos personality like this.[2] Aalto was a spontaneously anarchistic personality: anti-authoritarian Even
though his personal politic taste was like that, his governmental buildings were straight and sound. His
biggest failure in this category was Finnish Parliament House, and at that moment, Aalto was before his
conversion to functionalist. His submitted plan for Finnish Parliament house was more like Italian classical
style than others idea.
Seinjoki Town Hall: Seinjoki city center project was Alvar Aaltos one of successful district project.
Seinjoki Town hall project was built during Seinjoki projects second phase. In Alvar Aaltos description
about Seinjoki Town hall, [3]He Placed the town hall as a worthy termination to the elongated entrance
piazza to the Seinjoki church. Seinjoki town hall situate partly on artificial hill made with earth, and
provide direct connection to second floor of Seinjoki town hall in which council chamber level. Alvar Aalto
planned this artificial hill as a citizens space. Before Seinjoki theater built, Seinjoki town halls council
chamber used as a multi-purpose hall.
Alvar Aaltos personal opinion about economical power base on money was negative. He did not
spend his architectural abilities for advertising entrepreneurs or their companies. Even though Aalto did not
admitted business and its principle of capitalism, when he planning these kinds of working buildings, he
always treat peoples condition of life first. In his perspective, most important thing for working space for
these buildings were must be pleasant place to work. He planed lots of banks, offices, and institutions, and in
his projects, he put workers life first.
National Pensions Institute Office Building in Helsinki: Alvar Aaltos concept of this office building
was to avoid making giant building. [4]Aalto divided the functions go the National Pensions Institute among
several interconnected building volumes. Like I mentioned first, in this buildings plan, you can confirm his
human focused planning. Referencing his description about this building, this building is mechanical
ventilation system installed, but to provide better inner condition, every windows can be opened for natural
airing.
Among his working space projects, factories, warehouses, plants, and water towers are closely
related industrial changes in Finland. Aaltos planning for industrial architectures had similarity. In every
project, Aalto tried to organize nature with building organically, and tried to make high quality work
condition for workers. To realize this ideal objective, sometimes he refuse companies needs and did
arguments with them.
Toppila-Vaara pulp mill, Oulu: Toppila project was first overall factory plan by Alvar Aalto. Aalto really
care about this project, since through this project, he could experiencing relationship between architecture
and technology. The buildings of Toppila project are organically functional. Like Toppila project, there were
several comprehensive plans by Alvar Aalto, such as Vaala Pulp mill, Sunila pulp mill, Summa paper mill and
housing area, and the Typpi Oy chemical plant.

Competition entries for the Finnish pavilion at the 1937 Worlds Fair in Paris, and the pavilion as
built: Finnish Pavilion that Alvar Aalto planned was one of his internationally well known project. In 1937,
Aalto sent two proposals but I prefer lost one, Tsit Tsit Pum, unpicked proposal, had distinguishable features,
such as exotic toplight, northern light motif, and forest motif. He use northern light concept to his second
Finnish Pavilion.
1939 Worlds Fair in New York, and the version built: In New York Fair, Finland could not afford its
own building, thus have to use designated hollow building. With this limited situation, Alvar Aaltos brilliant
idea was chosen. Strong and clear northern light motif walls made dominant mood of pavilion. His idea was
changed boring simple box shape exhibition space. In this competition, he submitted two alternatives, and
first and second were Alvar Aaltos.
[1]p.146 basic description about industrial and commercial building
[2]p. 126
[3]p. 132
[4]p. 139 National Pensions Institute Office Building in Helsinki

Housing and Interior:

[1]Making sure that every citizen had the basic security provided by a decent home had in fact been
the most neglected aspect of architecture in earlier times. I presume early 19th century was probably more
like mess than now. Lack of tech, resource, skill, notion, and people were made people keep away from
wellbeing. However, Alvar Aaltos idea was different. Alvar Aalto dreamed utopian society with equal life
quality for all humanities, and tried to realize his ideal philosophy to his pieces of work. He wrote about
housing for the cultural journal Granskaren, [2]in which he pointed out the connection between housing
and various kinds of buildings that provide public services. As you can see, Alvar Aaltos ideas from
functionalism which is organic connection with each functions were also implanted to housing projects too.
However, Alvar Aaltos housing projects features not only its functionalism base plan also, like other Aaltos
projects, he tried to enhance connection between human and nature. Alvar Aaltos housing projects were
always directly connected its surroundings and its vicinity beautiful nature. His attempts to link these factors
were foundation of his housing plan, and in every each projects, he designed his housing project with strong
connection to nature in various way, such as balconies, gardens, access to forests, path to parks and
windows, he tried to connect altogether with his building. In addition, his homes practical aspects were also
sufficient for convenient living.
Alvar Aaltos housing projects can categorize to several division, such as villa, flat, and standard
housing. Aaltos Villa projects were most for his friends, since he was not much interested small houses. His
flat, row house, and dormitory projects were his main housing projects. This is because, these modest
purpose houses are for ordinary people, and he spent a lot of his afford for this. In these kind of housing,
lots of houses built buy industrial companies to compensate their workers housing. However, most of them
were just looks like box. Aaltos design helped to add aesthetic shape to these. Standardization is highly
practical base approach to housing plan, and this method was quite fit of Alvar Aaltos taste. This is because,
Aalto was one of people who actually experienced industrial improving during his life. However,
standardized hosings of him sometimes failed to achieve his core idea, since clients or entrepreneurs desire
to increase their profit as much as possible. These attempts often blurred his intention.
Villa Mairea as Built: This villas long-shaped elevation is so well organized. The villa is undisputedly
the crowning achievement of the young Aaltos architectural archive. Already I mentioned several times,
Aaltos basic idea about housing, connection with nature was also applied to the villa. [3]A few steps lead up
from the entrance hall to the living room, which combines the multipurpose feature with a forest spaceopen to the surrounding nature.

LajMaison Carre in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, France: This house was for rich well-known French art
dealer married couple, and they wished to build a villa of the highest artistic quality. In this project, Aalto
also responsible to furbishment, and he designed most of lightings and furnitures. And surrounding nature,
especially gardens were planned by Aalto himself. This villa was specially designed as a family base intimate
space.
In his relatively small scale project, Row house and apartment blocks at Sunila, near Kotka project,
there were more new Alvar Aaltos attempts. This housing got great success in Sunila area. This housing
project basically two stories row house,and each house had second floor-nowadays, many of this like row
houses are in Finland-and support functions are in first floor. Bedrooms are in upstair. Aalto tried to plan
separate gardens and tried to give different experiences to each houses. And also applied different depth of
houses place, offer diverse experience.
Senior Dormitory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, also known
Baker House: This well known dormitory house is one of Alvar Aaltos best work of his housing projects.
Baker Houses architectural concept was so simple. Alvar Aalto wanted to give much more good life
condition to all students, more sunshine, more decent view, and more appropriate for health. completed
buildings look is a bit different from figures in this book, but I could grab basic ideas of Aalto. In this project,
Alvar Aalto succeeded to achieve proper housing for students and also got maximization number of rooms
too.
Neue Vahr high-rise block in Bremen, Germany: This is unique project, especially among Alvar
Aaltos project, he did not have many high-rise project. This bold and sculpturesque style building showed
impressive plans. Compare with present standardized building, vary developed approach. Building offer
exotic views from out side and also from inside too. By its sculpturesque shape, people can experience
various views from outside. [4]These different plan for each units and diversity of balconies were applied to
other similar projects, such as Schonbuhl apartment house, and Aalto keep using this method to his other
projects after this.
It is hard to handle Alvar Aaltos interior projects with his buildings. This is because, in his most of
projects, he designed original furnitures for designated projects and buildings. This tendency was much more
his earlier stage of works. [5]In Aaltos youthful phase, Neo-Classical phase have the smallest percentage of
standard products. Nowadays, there are countless ready-made products, industrial designers, and
manufacturers. As a results, these days architects are hard to get a chance to fill his or her own building
with their own furnitures. Since several reasons, such as economical, time-related, and efficiency things, this
eras architect hard to get that chance. Thus Alvar Aaltos interior plan with his original furbishments
importance came from this sense. In addition, Alvar Aalto tried to link his core design philosophy from the
beginning of planning to interiors small objects. Thus, the space in which full of his own piece of arts and
design might be one of exhibition for Aaltos works. Nordic style of interiors are world popular style right
now. Relatively interior architectures life expectancies are too short than architecture. Still, many of new
Nordic interior architecture or interior-overall architecture are newly release everyday. Nevertheless, the
meaning of Alvar Aaltos interior projects are still important. This is because, in his projects, he designed
original furnitures for designated special buildings. He made these special editions not only furniture also
lighting, textile, and fabric too. Well preserved his building means one of his works museum, and it should be
well preserve.
[1]p.177 first sentence of housing category.
[2]p.177
[3]p. 186 description about Villa Mairea
[4]p. 245
[5]p.246

Industrial Design and Art:

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this book report, still in Asia, Alvar Aalto earn his
popularity by his industrial design, not by his architectural legacies. [1]Since objects are easy to move and
display far from the place where they were made, whereas buildings can be transported only in the form of
photographs, plan drawings and models. For me, I already know Alvar Aalto was architect, but still his
industrial designs are much more familiar with me. Actually I can buy one of those in Korea too. Especially
his furniture, glass objets, and lightings are famous. Thus, reading this chapter was amusing, since I could
found some familiar stuffs and also use my experience more than other categories.
Furniture is most renown industrial design object of Alvar Aalto, and also his furniture is quite a
popular around the world.[2] His furniture design was one of his foremost achievements in its own right.
His furnitures popularity is over his architecture especially among abroad countries, even if people do not
know his name, but still they can recognize his furniture. Like architecture, his furnitures before 1930 were
more close to Italian style. And after 1930, his furnitures main philosophy was functionalism.
Lighting also took huge part of his industrial design. Like furniture, he preferred to use his own
design to his architecture projects. For example, Seinjoki churchs hall lighting also his own design. [3]His
design ability has great insight, so one of his friends who member of Finnish Handicraft asked him as a
competition judge. His interest on lighting works more concentrated on church lighting. Not only for
lighting, he also focused on churchs interior design with furniture and lighting. In addition, his sculpturesque
lightings also famous too. His lamp, stand, and lantern were applied his project many times. [4]Aaltos lamps
can be divided into three types. First, lamps with shades. Second, lamps with gratings. Three, various models
from PH lamp.
Glass objets are also very famous. And its popularities are so amaze, there are lots of imitations
exist. Littala still advertise his glass object with this catch praise take Aalto with your home. relatively easy
to have and cheaper than other genuine design works from Alvar Aalto. Aino Aalto, spouse of Alvar Aalto,
also made glass objects too. Aino and Aaltos character on glass ware were differ. Ainos works were more
practical and Aaltos works were more artistic.
Alvar Aaltos 2 dimension base works not treated as a one of his main design categories in this
book. However, as much good as his fundamental design ability, his visual design works were also great.
[5]Signs of Truku trade fair-1929, Exhibition pillars with advertising texts-was one of good example. His
talented artistic 2 dimensional designs were well represented in textile, book art, billboard and typography.
He was also amazing artist too. He drawn many paintings. These gifted artistic ideas were directly
connected to his sculpture works, jewelry, and stage design. Especially he preferred to planning sculptures.
Tomb stones, wall sculptures, bentwood sculptures, fountain design, ornamental objects in building,
auditorium relief and etc were came from his artistic idea.
[1]p.298 reason why Alvar Aaltos architectures were less famous than his objects.
[2]p. 255
[3]p. 261 description about chruch lighting and furnishing.
[4]p. 264 categorization for Aaltos lighting.
[5]p.171 figure VII 4.4

Epilogue:
Truly, Restoration course offer me good opportunity to understand Finland and Finnish architecture.
Even though my English reading is not good enough, Alvar Aalto: A life works - Architecture, Design and Art
provide infinite information about Alvar Aaltos life works. And also, following Alvar Aaltos works and life
means, also following history of Finland, I think. Actually I could get more understanding about Finlands
contemporary history through reading this book. For example, through Master plan of Imatras background,
I could notice historical truth between Finland and Soviet Union.

I felt restoration and conversion were huge part of Finnish architecture, and it comes from past
great architects philosophy. In 1930, which was Alvar Aalto started to follow functionalist style, [1]he wrote
article entitled Housing construction with old when plans. This means he was already considered how to
harmonize new style with existing context.
One of the interesting fact was the Alvar Aaltos inspiration form Italy. I could found several
sentences in this book which support this.[2]Alvar Aaltos earliest church designs show a strong Italian
influence. This connection remained throughout his life. [3]The first plans are highly Classicistic and inspired
by Italy. - Jyvskyl plan [4]The square appears in his work occasionally as a forum, but it also rooted in the
piazza - Italians outdoor living room. [5]Aalto had not yet visited Italy at the time, but his teachers at the
Institute of Technology had installed in him a liberty interest in the Italian urban environment. From planning
to using material, Alvar Aaltos inspiration from Italy were vary.
One more impressive thing from Alvar Aaltos work is diversity of his works. Already there are
several different kinds of categories in this book, but still his works are vary. Such as Light house design for
Dominican Republic, News stand, Boat, Sauna, Billboard, and Tombstone. And every minor projects are also
represent identity of Aaltos idea about design.
This books materials and contents were massive and vary. Honestly, I am not sure that I absorb
proper and enough information from this book. After this book report, I want to spend more time with this
book. Follow his foot prints and check his completed works current states are interesting and amusing
work. I was moved, impressed, amazed, and shocked. The spectrums of Alvar Aaltos works and passion of
him also made me keep into this book.
Before ending this book report, I want to quote one of Alvar Aaltos words.
Humans life is a combination of tragedy and comedy; the shapes and designs which
surround us are the accompanying music. Furniture, fabrics, cool schemes, and
structures can be earnestly and happily made so that they produce no contrast to the
tragedy and comedy of human life. In this they correspond to decent dress and to
decent living.
And as a one of architect who planning tomorrows humans life, want to keep his ideal philosophy in my
deep mind too.
[1]p.9
[2]p.39
[3]p.9 planning, description about Jyvskyl plan
[4]p.30 Alvar Aaltos features in his City planning
[5]p.126

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