Alvar Aalto is an architect that I respect and admire a great deal. I had never really heard of or seen Aalto's work until I studied abroad during the summer of 2001. I was fortunate to visit several f his buildings and was immediately drawn to the logical use of form and unique use of materials. Wood and masonry formed the foundation of many of his designs and this attention to material created a very organic product that was very comforting. Additionally, similar to Frank L. Wright, Aalto also design furniture as well as the smallest details in his buildings. I have a great appreciation for this skill as it is critical to a comprehensive and complete design.
Me and my Savoy...one of my favorite "architectural" possessions.
The lessons I take from Aalto are those of attention to detail, a connection to nature and the simple geometric forms used in his designs. When you compare work by Aalto or Wright to say Gehry, there is such a contrast in the forms. Obviously, these architects functioned in different eras, however I respect how past contemporary architecture accomplished its goal without being flamboyant or garish. Each line has meaning and one cannot find arbitrary components to the design, which I do not feel can be said about some of the new work we see today.
Besides form and material, how do you understand the spaces and the experience of moving through an Aalto building?
ReplyDeleteWhat I remember most about moving though the buildings was how each transition from room to room seemed very seamless, however not to the point that you felt as though you were in one large space. There are identifiers are you move into each space that alert you to a change of use or function (not just or toilet or a stove). A glazed wall or exposed structure in an area will create different patterns or light levels, creating different forms for the eye, beyond walls, columns, doors, etc. These subtle changes affect how we experience each space. As you move through, you feel very connected to each space. The scale fluctuates, not drastically, but enough to notice, allowing you to become more aware to how movement is being encouraged or restricted or how a space beyond is blending within.
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