Aalto, Alvar (Aalto, Alvar) (1898-1976), Finnish architect, representative of functionalism, a close organic architecture.
Born in Kuortane (central Finland), February 3, 1898 in the family of an engineer-surveyor. Classes at the Polytechnic Institute of Helsinki in 1918 were interrupted by the war for independence (or "the Finnish Civil War"), in which Aalto participated actively on the side of the White Finns. After graduating architect (1921), worked in Jyväskylä and Turku. Arriving in 1933 in Helsinki, organized his own company "Artek" (1935). In 1924 he married Aino Marcio, too architect by profession, who was his constant co-sponsor until his death in 1949.
Elegant purity of his manners funktsionalistskoy clearly defined in the buildings of the newspaper "Turunen Sanomat in Turku (1927-1929), tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio (1928-1933) and the city library in Viypuri (now Vyborg, 1930-1935). Aalto's architecture introduced in the Finnish avant-garde style, has asserted itself against the background of the ruling is still modern and classical (the last he paid tribute to his earlier things). The severity of the lines and spatial compositions joined in these three landmark buildings with poetic wit of key structures and images, finely-specific local landscape. One such focus was shaped undulating wood ceiling Vyborg Library; wavy kurvatura, visually connecting the walls and other elements of the building with the environment over the years has become a characteristic feature of the "corporate identity" Aalto. Other signs were free of interior spaces, unfolding mostly in the horizontal plane, and a permanent combination of concrete and glass with more traditional materials like wood, stone and brick. Through all this, the functional architecture of Alvar Aalto became fully organic architecture, representing the European (and more restrained) analogue creativity FL Wright. It is noteworthy that the primary and master plans, filled with inner romanticism, born not on the drawing board, and free from drafts, sometimes taking the form of colorful abstractions.
Consolidating its reputation, was designed by the Finnish pavilions for the World Exhibition in Paris (1937) and New York (1939-1940). Became a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, USA), in 1940-1947 he worked mainly in the United States. Among his postwar very many buildings stand out in the Social Center Syayunatsalo (1950-1952), Pedagogical Institute in Jyväskylä (1952-1957), a complex of the Polytechnic Institute in Otaniemi (1954-1969) and the palace "Finland" in Helsinki (1967-1971). Built in the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Iran and other countries. He proved himself as a remarkable, environmentally sensitive urban planner: especially during erection in Sunila pulp mill and the surrounding working-class town (1936-1939, 2 nd stage 1951-1954). Radically modernized look of the church building, the space opened it to nature (the church in Vuoksenniske, 1956-1958, etc.). In its archetypal for the Scandinavian way of life they were designed country villas (Villa Mayrea in Normarc, 1938-1939, etc.). Aalto (starting with the work of furnishing the sanatorium in Paimio) stood at the origins of modern Finnish design.
Served as president of the Finnish Union of Architects (1943-1958) and President of the Academy of Finland (1963-1968).
Aalto died in Helsinki on May 11, 1976. Designed by Alvar Aalto in Jyväskylä Art Museum (built in 1973) was later dedicated to the memory of the architect.
