Alvar Aalto Book

The preeminent Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) developed in the postwar years an architectural language all his own, characterized by curved walls, singlepitched roofs, and inventive combinations of wood and brick. He was also engaged in design at all scales, from the planning of cities, including Helsinki, to the design of furniture and glassware. This book provides a brief but comprehensive look at Aaltoâ??s life, works, theory, and relevance for the twenty-first century.The first section of the book offers an account of Aaltoâ??s life, including his friendships with such  twentieth-century masters as Gropius, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright. The second section looks closely at six of Aaltoâ??s most important buildings, among them Baker House in Boston and the concert hall in Helsinki. In the final sections of the book, Nicholas Ray examines several general themes relating to Aaltoâ??s work and philosophy. Ray also offers an original and provocative view of Aaltoâ??s theory, arguing that the architectâ??s position consistently opposed that of his contemporaries and indeed of most architects to this day.Read More