An eloquent humanist, as well as one of the great architects and designers of the 20th century, Alvar Aalto breathed life and warmth into modernism, placing emphasis on "organic" geometry; supple, natural materials; and respect for human feeling."Architecture," he said, "must have charm; it is a factor of beauty in society. But real beauty is not a conception of form...it is the result of harmony between several intrinsic factors, not the least, the social." Aalto's intention was to create integrated environments to be experienced through all the senses, and to design furniture that would be at once modern, human and specifically Finnish.
Using native birch wood and plywood and his own new bentwood techniques, Aalto created his classic Lounge Chair, the curvilinear Wood Screen designed for the Finnish Pavilion and his iconic stacking stool. These pieces represent his virtuosity with form and structure and firmly established Aalto's genius and fluency with wood - which he described as the "form inspiring, deeply human material." Their natural beauty also made waves among the European avant garde, better known for a high-minded austerity than warmth. Read more >
