Alvar Aalto in 1940s. Photo: Eino Mäkinen, Alvar Aalto Foundation.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Alvar Aalto (1898−1976). The architects and pioneers of modern design Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto created exceptionally rich and varied career for themselves in Finland and abroad. During the year, the Alvar Aalto Foundation – along with its partners in collaboration – will be putting the spotlight on the story of Alvar Aalto’s architect’s office (1923−1994) and on the ideas that influenced its work; ideas that are still relevant today.

125 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF ALVAR AALTO – ANNIVERSARY EVENTS BRING AALTO INTO THE 2020S

“Nothing that is old can be reborn. But nor will it disappear entirely.
And that which once was, always returns in some new form.”
Alvar Aalto, 1921

The 125^th anniversary of Alvar Aalto’s birth on February 3, 2023 will be a flagging day in Finland in honour of Finnish architecture and design. “In this anniversary year, we want to tell the general public about the extent of Alvar Aalto’s life’s work in different periods. That includes his childhood and youth, collaboration with both Aino and Elissa Aalto, the history of his architect’s office and, finally, the fostering of its heritage. The output of Aalto’s office and the many themes it raises are topical today. Aalto was an advocate of humane design and of taking nature into account – subjects that speak to us right now,” says Alvar Aalto Foundation CEO Tommi Lindh.

Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) and his architect wives Aino Aalto (1894–1949) and Elissa Aalto (1922–1994) all aspired to achieve integrated designs, in which the architecture and interior of a building – the lighting, furnishings, textiles, and outdoor spaces – are almost seamlessly articulated into a unified whole. Everyone at Aalto’s architect’s office worked towards a common goal – sustainable architecture and design marked by a human-centred approach and a connection with nature.

The Alvar Aalto 125 anniversary year embodies the spirit of Aalto and lets us look through the multi-coloured kaleidoscope of the architect’s production and heritage. The national Architecture and Design Days 2023 festival – on 1–5.2.2023 to coincide with Aalto’s birthday – is hosting events in several Alvar Aalto cities around Finland.

At the Alvar Aalto Foundation the anniversary year opens at 13:00–16:00 on 2.2.2023 with a event open to all: Aalto uudessa muodossa – 125 vuotta Alvar Aallon syntymästä at Helsinki City Hall. The celebrations continue on 3.2.2023 at the Museum of Central Finland on Alvar Aalto’s birthday with Aalto2Museokeskus esittäytyy, the Aaltoa yhdessä workshop, plus cake and coffee at 12:00–17:00. These are all part of the Architecture and Design Days; entrance free.