Alvar Aalto; Design Classics

Author: (Finnish) Jyri Kiltto, edited by Jyri Kiltto, translated by He Jie, Chen Xinxin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Alvar Aalto, one of the modern architectural masters and a design genius, was a highly influential and prolific architect. His architectural designs, which integrate with natural environments, made unique contributions to modernist architecture. Aalto's designs were influenced by various aspects such as Finnish landscapes, Bauhaus, and classicism. On this foundation, he combined raw materials like concrete and wood, copper and brick, as well as mass and form, to refine a set of organic design vocabulary. His respect for functionality and usability also earned him enduring fame in both architectural and furniture design. This book details 33 of Aalto's most important works, including Villa Mairea, the town center of S?rk?nniemi, Baker Dormitory at MIT, and the "Aalto Vase." These works were selected by Jyri Kiltto, a scholar who studies Aalto, and prefaced by Professor Michael Trench of the Pratt Institute. The book reviews Aalto's entire career with rich color photographs and design drawings. From his neoclassical-style works in the 1920s to his more "organic" designs in the 1940s and 1950s, from furniture and tableware designs to works completed after his death, it covers a wide range. These works are scattered across Scandinavia, Europe, and the United States. At the end of the book, there are two lists of Aalto's major works, arranged by year and location.