Architect Aalto remains timeless

Source:Viet Nam News

The unique work of world-famous Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is taking the spotlight at a new exhibition which opens today in Hanoi and later in HCM City.

The show, titled Alvar Aalto Houses - Timeless Expressions presents a slice of the Finnish designer's life work, including 17 of the total 100 residential houses he designed, with examples from different stylistic periods between 1924-1972. The buildings are presented through a selection of photographs, architectural drawings and scale models. Some of Aalto's furniture and other forms of art are also on display.

Aalto's pieces derive their special aesthetic character from dynamic relationship with their natural surroundings as well as their scale, immaculate details, treatment of materials and use of lighting.

The architect was well-known for his desire to improve the world with better living spaces, summed up in one of his most famous quotes: "Architecture cannot save the world, but it can set a good example."

After graduating from Helsinki University of Technology with a degree in architecture in 1921, Aalto dabbled in the latest trends in international furniture design before finding his own voice expressing the organic relationship between man, nature and buildings.

As early as 1930 his architecture and design showed an exceptional modern approach, which remain a source of inspiration to modern architects all over the world.

The exhibition is on at the VietArt Centre, 42 Yet Kieu, Hanoi until May 1 and will open at the City Hall for Exhibitions, 92 Le Thanh Ton, District 1 in HCM City from May 12-16. It is co-organised by the Embassy of Finland, the Viet Nam Association of Architects and the Alvar Aalto Museum.


Image by Kalevi A. Makinen, courtesy of the Barbican Art Gallery (inhabitat.com)


Image by Judith Turner, 2006, courtesy of the Barbican Art Gallery (inhabitat.com)


Image by Hiroyuki Hirai, courtesy of the Barbican Art Gallery (inhabitat.com)


Image by Hiroyuki Hirai, courtesy of the Barbican Art Gallery (inhabitat.com)