Alvar Aalto

The Finnish architect Alvar Aalto is especially important for his insistence on a humane modernism. During his long and prolific career, Aalto's work embraced almost all key public institutions - town halls, theatres, churches, libraries and universities - as well as standardized housing and private homes.

Aalto's architecture is distinctively Finnish. It is marked by a warm humanity and strong individuality. His buildings derive their special aesthetic character from their dynamic relationship with their natural surroundings, their human scale, superbly executed details, unique treatment of materials and ingenious use of lighting. Always, Aalto was concerned for the individual user's experience of the architecture he designed, and its liveability.