Alvar Aalto (1898 – 1976)
Father of Modern Scandinavian Architecture
Born at the cusp of Modernism, Finnish architect Alvar Aalto became famous for both his buildings and his furniture designs. Aalto’s unique style grew out of a passion for painting and a fascination for the works of cubist artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
Alvar Aalto’s passion for painting led to the development of his unique architectural style. Cubism and Colage, explored by the painters Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, became important elements in Alvar Aalto’s work. Alvar Aalto used color, texture, and light to create collage-like architectural landscapes.
Alvar Aalto also became famous for his furniture and glassware design. With his first wife, Aino Mariso, Alvar Aalto founded Artek, a company that continues to sell innovative furnishings.
Distinguished work:
1938-39: Finnish Pavilion, New York’s World Fair
1946-49: Baker House, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
1967-75: Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland
