Portrait of Alvar Aalto. Ph: E. Mäkinen © Museum of Finnish Architecture

The house that Alvar Aalto designed for his family in Munkkiniemi, Helsinki, was the architect's home for 40 years until he died. The building signified a turning point in his career from restrictive Functionalism to a freer human architecture close to nature. Alvar Aalto was born in Kuortane in 1898. When he was 5 years old, the family moved to Jyväskylä, which became Alvar Aalto's home town, to which he returned as a young architect to begin an independent career. His father, J.H. Aalto, was a surveyor. >>

Biography born in Kuortane.   1898   graduated as an architect from Helsinki University of Technology.   1921   founded an architect's office in Jyväskylä. His designs included church repairs and buildings in Jyväskylä. His 1920s production has a classical stamp.   1923   moved to Turku, where began his Functionalist period. As a member of CIAM, he took part in the discussions of the Modern Movement.   1927   settled in Helsinki and built his house there, followed later by an atelier. Designed town plans, churches, public buildings, residential areas and blocks of flats, villas and exhibition buildings. His contribution to industrial art in the twentieth century as a designer of art glass and furniture is significant.   1933   died in Helsinki.   1976