Alvar Aalto

A compact overview of one of the world's greatest architect

"Modern architecture does not mean using immature new materials; the main thing is to work with materials towards a more human line."
- Alvar Aalto

Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was not only influenced by the landscape of his native country, but by the political struggle over Finland's place within European culture. After early neoclassical buildings, Alvar Aalto turned to ideas based on Functionalism, subsequently moving toward more organic structures, with brick and wood replacing plaster and steel. In addition to designing buildings, furniture, lamps, and glass objects with his wife Aino, he painted and was an avid traveler. A firm believer that buildings have a crucial role in shaping society, Aalto once said, "The duty of the architect is to give life a more sensitive structure."

About the Series:
Every book in TASCHEN's Basic Architecture Series features:

approximately 120 images, including photographs, sketches, drawings, and floor plans
introductory essays exploring the architect's life and work, touching on family and background as well as collaborations with other architects
the most important works presented in chronological order, with descriptions of client and/or architect wishes as well as construction problems and resolutions
an appendix including a list of complete or selected works, biography, bibliography and a map indicating the locations of the architect's most famous buildings

About the author:
Finnish-born Louna Lahti worked for the Alvar Aalto Society for many years, first as exhibition secretary and later as treasurer, before establishing her own firm in 1984. She has lectured and published extensively on visual arts and architecture.

Facts

Alvar Aalto

Gössel, Peter (ED)
Lahti, Louna
Softcover, flaps 7.3 x 9.1 in., 96 pages, $ 9.99

Events (1 items)

Exhibition
In Sand gezeichnet - nicht realisierte Entwürfe von Alvar Aalto
June 12, 2008 - September 21, 2008
Pinakothek der Moderne, Barer Straße 27, 80799 München, Tel: (089) 23805 216, Germany

Reviews (2 items)

"'Modern architecture does not gather materials but the most important thing is to work with materials towards a more human line', said Alvar Aalto, one of the most influential architects. He was not only influenced by the landscape of his native country, but by the political struggle over Finland's place within European culture. After early neoclassical buildings, Aalto turned to ideas based on Functionalism, subsequently moving toward more organic structures, with brick and wood replacing plaster and steel. In addition to designing buildings, furniture, lamps, and glass objects with his wife Aino, he painted and was an avid traveler. A firm believer that buildings have a crucial role in shaping society, Aalto once said, "The duty of the architect is to give life a more sensitive structure. This handy and reasonable book covers Aalto's outstanding works, from the Savoy vase to the Town Centre in Finland."
JDN, Tokyo, Japan