Alvar AALTO

BY- SURAJ RATHI MIET GONDIA

Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto  (3 February 1898 – 11 May 1976) was a Finnish architect and designer, as well as a sculptor and painter.

His work includes architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware.

In 1916,He went to study architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology, Finland.

The university moved from Helsinki to Otaniemi campus area in 1966. Much of the university's campus was designed by Alvar Aalto.

His wife Aino Marsio was also an architect.

Main BuildingOf

Helsinki University

Some of his Major works are:

Paimio Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Finland

Viipuri City Library, Russia

Villa Mairea, Finland

Baker House, MIT,Cambridge

PAIMIO TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUMLOCATION- PAIMIO, FINLAND 1929-1932

ARCHITECTURE STYLE- FUNCTIONALISM

Paimio Sanatorium is a former tuberculosis sanatorium.

The building served exclusively as a tuberculosis sanatorium, Then it was converted into a general hospital.

Today the building is part of the Turku University Hospital

Doctors houses

Staff flats

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Plan was functionally zoned so that direction of each wing was defined according to its requirements for sunshine and view.

Free form cantilevered canopy

Sun trapped balconies are cantilevered from the tapering RCC frame.

RCC frame is used with infill being a insulated brick cavity wall.

Exposed lift shaft on the external wall.

Main staircase has natural light which is further enhanced by yellow colour of the stairs.

A continuous sundeck that runs over patient wing is protected with RCC canopy to reduce solar gain.

Double-heighted windows are given to prevented the building from sun glare.

VIIPURI CITY LIBRARYLOCATION- VYBORG,RUSSIA 1933-1935

ARCHITECTURE STYLE-  NORDIC CLASSICISM

The Municipal Library in Vyborg, Russia, was built during the time of Finnish sovereignty (1918 to 1940-44).

The building, built from 1927 to 1935, is an internationally acclaimed design by the Finnish architect and is one of the major examples of 1920s functionalist architectural design.

 On completion the library was know as Viipuri Library, but after the Second World War, the library was renamed theNadezhda Krupskaya Municipal Library. 

Its particularly famous for its wave-shaped ceiling in the auditorium.

In the library, light is a primary consideration. The light is streamed in through round conical skylight about 6ft in diameter.

VILLA MAIREALOCATION- NOORMARKKU, FINLAND 1937-

1939

Villa Mairea is a villa and guest-house designed for Harry and Maire Gullichsen in Noormarkku, Finland.

The plan of the Villa Mairea is a modified L-shape.

The massing was inspired by the falling waters by F.L. Wright.

ARCHITECTURE STYLE- MODERNISM

 The lawn and the swimming pool are situated in the angle of the L, with a variety of rooms overlooking them.

 The curved pool blends with the nearby surroundings. 

The main facade has a more rigid, formal look and it comprises of a canopysupported by timber columns.

SITE PLAN

 The interiors of the Villa Mairea are richly articulated in wood, stone and brick.

Furniture and glasswareChairs1932: Paimio Chair1933: Three-legged stacking Stool 601933: Four-legged Stool E601935-6: Armchair 404 (a/k/a/ Zebra Tank Chair)1939: Armchair 406

Lamps1954: Floor lamp A8051959: Floor lamp A810

Vases1936: Aalto Vase