Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto (1898-1976)
Born in Kuortane, Finland, Alvar Aalto studied architecture at the Technical University of Helsinki from 1916 to 1921. Initially worked as an exhibition designer and later turned to architecture and furniture design in 1923 and 1925 respectively.
He became a member of the Congrés Internationaux d´Architecture Moderne in 1928. In 1929 with Otto Korhonen he established an experimental plywood workshop in Turku. In 1935, he founded a furniture design company, Artek, with Harry and Marie Gullichsen and in the same year patented a cantilevered chair support made of wood.
More news design Alvar Aalto:
Studio Aalto now officially a protected building
Studio Aalto and its garden area are now officially protected by decision of the Uusimaa …
Join the festivities! Alvar Aalto’s wooden relief celebrates Finnish Design Shop’s 20th anniversary
In 2024, Finnish Design Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special reissue of Alvar …
The Alvar Aalto Foundation’s museum sites invite you to Munkkiniemi
Photo: The Aalto House living room 1935-36 Helsinki. Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation. …
How Villa Mairea came to embody the Artek Interior, finished in 1939, Aino and Alvar Aalto’s modernist masterpiece
Finished in 1939, Aino and Alvar Aalto’s modernist masterpiece became a symbol of Artek’s ongoing …
The Black Edition: A201 Pendant’s Limited Return design by Alvar Aalto – Artek
Artek’s A201 is a clean-lined, stylish pendant made up of two steel cylinders and a …
The Return of Armchair 45 design by Alvar Aalto – Artek
Photography by Mikko Ryhänen, 2024 Armchair 45 returns to the collection this autumn to complement …
Alvar Aalto Medal 2024 goes to Belgian architect Marie-José Van Hee
Marie-José Van Hee. Photo © Jef Jacobs. The fifteenth Alvar Aalto Medal has been awarded …
Let’s build a sustainable architectural heritage together – donate to the renovation of Studio Aalto
The Alvar Aalto Foundation is the custodian of Alvar Aalto’s architectural heritage and has launched …
Alvar Aalto Symposium focuses on the role of architects amidst change
The 16th Alvar Aalto Symposium will be held in Jyväskylä 22–23 August 2024 The built …
Limited editions of Unique hand-carved Aalto Vases made from Finnish sand
Since the founding of Iittala Glassworks in 1881, Iittala has been synonymous with expertise in …
Aalto Benches now available in two larger new sizes and with new seat options – Artek
Aalto Benches are functional and versatile, equally at home in the public and private spheres. …
The Aalto foldable table returns to Artek, crafted for compact living
New in: the Aalto foldable table Crafted for compact living, the Aalto foldable table extends …
16th Alvar Aalto Symposium 2024 focuses on the era of extremes
What is the role of architecture and design amidst environmental crises, catastrophes and political upheaval? …
The first week of February is a celebration of Finnish architecture and design
On the 3rd of February, Finnish flags are hoisted in celebration of Alvar and Aino Aalto …
Finland celebrates Architecture and Design Days 2024
Finland celebrates Architecture and Design Days on 1–4.2.2024. This year’s theme highlights the importance of architecture …
Major showing of the Aaltos’ work in Italy – The Human Dimension of Design
Alvar Aalto in the Muuratsalo Experimental House (1952–54). Photo Heikki Havas Photo © Alvar Aalto …
Iittala celebrates Alvar Aalto’s 125th birthday with a limited edition
Aalto glass vase like never seen before. Iittala celebrates Alvar Aalto’s 125th birthday with a …
Discover Stool 60 Loimu: Limited by Nature design by Alvar Aalto – Artek
Stool 60 Loimu (flame, in English) is produced from an exceptionally rare birch variant distinguished …
The Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection design by Alvar Aalto – Artek
Artek launches celebratory collection to commemorate 90 years since the Paimio Sanatorium’s opening. …
Architect Elissa Aalto exhibition opens in Lahti during August Architecture Week
An exhibition about the life’s work of architect Elissa Aalto will open at Galleria Nuovo, …
Filaments of Image and Space Exhibition @ Paimio Sanatorium
Filaments of Image and Space 16.6.–30.9.2023 The exhibition is open in June-August, Tuesday-Sunday from 10 …
The anniversary edition of Armchair 41 by Alvar Aalto is made from beautifully oiled birch wood – Artek
Artek’s Armchair 41, also known as the Paimio chair, is one of the most beautiful …
WHOSE MODERNISM? 40 international perspectives on modernism @ Alvar Aalto Museum
Have you already applied for your free virtual ticket? The 5. Alvar Aalto Researchers’ Network …
Exhibition 11 May – 15 September 2023 by Artek 2nd Cycle to Celebrate 90 Years of Stool 60
Rare pieces from the 1930s until today are on view at Artek 2nd Cycle in …
The new Aalto2 Museum Centre to fulfil Alvar Aalto’s wish
“Nothing that is old can be reborn. But nor will it disappear entirely. And that …
Artek’s Stool 60 celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2023 — an extraordinary milestone for a humble wooden stool
90 Years of Stool 60 Born of modernist ideals and Finnish innovation, its great legacy …
The 125th anniversary of Alvar Aalto’s birth on February 3
Alvar Aalto in 1940s. Photo: Eino Mäkinen, Alvar Aalto Foundation. This year marks the 125th …
Architect Elissa Aalto exhibition in Oulu 20/1–11/2 2023
An exhibition about the life’s work of Alvar Aalto’s wife and talented designer Elissa Aalto is to …
Stora Enso makes major furniture donation to Alvar Aalto Foundation
Unique donation on the threshold of Aalto 125 anniversary The Alvar Aalto Foundation has received …
Iittala celebrates Alvar Aalto’s 125th anniversary with archive designs
In 2023, Iittala celebrates Alvar Aalto’s 125th birthday by launching two new vases and a …
First ever book published about architect Elissa Aalto
The Elissa Aalto centenary programme culminates this month in the release of a new book …
Alvar Aalto Week opened in Wolfsburg, Germany – programme brings a colourful array of cultural events to the city
This year, Alvar Aalto Week is being held outside of Finland for the first time: …
Helsinki Design Week @ Kanavaranta design by Alvar Aalto
Helsinki Design Week’s main venue changes annually. For the ten days, this year’s location will …
Architect Elissa Aalto centenary tours and new product series launched this summer
This year marks the centenary of the birth of Alvar Aalto’s second architect wife, Elissa …
Exhibition of Interior Designer Maija Heikinheimo at the Gallery of Säynätsalo Town Hall
Interior Designer Maija Heikinheimo (1908–1963) worked almost the whole of her career in the service …
Alvar Aalto Design Seminar – BIOSYMBIOSIS; Top bio-based design and innovations 24–25/5 2022
Alvar Aalto Design Seminar – BIOSYMBIOSIS; Top bio-based design and innovations 24.–25.5.2022 in Jyväskylä, Finland …
Lehti, Pisa & Venezia exhibition displays the printed fabrics designed by Aino, Elissa and Alvar Aalto
The first exhibition Lehti, Pisa and Venezia in the Alvar Aalto Shop’s new exhibition space …
The first week of February is a celebration of Finnish architecture and design
Finnish Architecture and Design Days aim to open our eyes to the architecture and design …
100 years since the birth of architect Elissa Aalto
In November 2022, it will be 100 years since the birth of the architect Elissa …
The world’s most extensive private Aalto collection opens as a virtual exhibition
The Alvar Aalto Museum’s major hit with the public in spring 2021, the Diverse Design – …
Alvar Aalto Nature Seminar event recording now available online
The Alvar Aalto Nature Seminar was held in an urban environment familiar to architect Alvar …
Alvar Aalto Week 2021. 14 – 22 August 2021
In 2021, the Alvar Aalto Week will take place in Kouvola from August 14 to …
Alvar Aalto’s boat Nemo propheta in patria moved for conservation
Nemo propheta in patria, the motorboat that Alvar Aalto designed for himself in the 1950s, …
Exhibition: Timeless Aalto – The DNA of Building Culture
The exhibition is based on architect and Professor Emeritus Tore Tallqvist’s decades of dedicated thought. …
The Landscape of Alvar Aalto exhibition on show in Niavaran Cultural Centre in Iran in July
“Our buildings should not merely meet one or two aesthetic norms; they should be placed …
Alvar Aalto Week in Kouvola offers a diverse programme for culture fans of all ages
This year’s Alvar Aalto Week is August 14–22, 2021. It´s theme Kouvola – yhtä Aaltoa looks forward …
Travel as a tool @ Vandalorum
27 March – 19 September is a joint Nordic exhibition that considers the significance of …
Christmas branches in Aalto vase
As we prepare for the holiday season here are some tips on how to bring …
Iittala will launch a limited edition of 2021 numbered vases in one of the rarest Aalto shapes found in the Iittala archives
The Aalto vase is an icon. In 2021, Iittala will launch a limited edition of …
Alvar Aalto Week 2020 – Fascinating programme
Alvar Aalto Week 2020 – Fascinating programme set in superb cultural environments of Pori and …
The first series of Alvar Aalto art posters is devoted to architecture exhibitions!
“God made paper for drawing architecture on. Everything else – at least to me – …
Exhibition: The Cultivated Landscape of Alvar Aalto
“The Cultivated Landscape of Alvar Aalto” is an exhibition co-produced by the Alvar Aalto Foundation …
Photography exhibition about Alvar Aalto’s life and production
Photography exhibition about Alvar Aalto’s life and production begins tour in Kouvola ”Architectural solutions must …
Chair 611, The Staying Power of a Modern Icon – Artek
In Helsinki, an upholsterer breathes new life into a set of iconic Alvar Aalto chairs …
Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60 wins 2019 Long Life Design Award
Artek is proud to announce that Alvar Aalto’s iconic Stool 60 has been awarded the …
Perfect time to book The Alvar Aalto Symposium
14TH INTERNATIONAL ALVAR AALTO SYMPOSIUM IS COMING SOON! This year theme of the Alvar Aalto Symposium …
The Housing Problem – Alvar Aalto
The architect Alvar Aalto’s wide-ranging, multifaceted output also included designs for apartments. The exhibition brings …
The Alvar Aalto Medal’s 50th jubilee: winners past and present
The Alvar Aalto Medal’s 50th jubilee: winners past and present The Alvar Aalto Medal paying …
The Icon of Finnish Design Celebrates its 80th Anniversary
The Alvar Aalto vase collection has become an international icon of Finnish design and a …
Aino & Alvar Aalto’s individual furniture
Review of Aino and Alvar Aalto’s individual furniture design in 1930’s The exhibition year at …
The work of Alvar Aalto’s collaborators – Studio Aalto
Collaboration on PhD thesis inspires new Alvar Aalto Museum exhibition A new exhibition at Studio …
Vitra acquired the Finnish company Artek
Artek and Vitra: a partnership built on affinity On September 6, 2013 Vitra acquired the …
Jakkara 60 – Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto @ Studio Aalto, Helsinki
JAKKARA 60 – STOOL 60 BY ALVAR AALTO exhibition at Studio Aalto, Helsinki, 13.3–21.4.2013 The …
Artek celebrates Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60 on its 80th anniversary by launching special editions
This year Artek celebrates Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60 on its 80th anniversary by launching special …