MUURATSALO EXPERIMENTAL HOUSE by Alvar Aalto
DESIGNED IN 1952-54
LOCATION: Finland, Jyväskylä
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto (3 February 1898 – 11 May 1976) was the most powerful and significant Finnish architect and designer. 200 out 500 buildings was designed by Alvar Aalto have been built. He worked mostly in International Style Modernism, where he combined functionality, atmosphere, simplycity and even national, cultural identity. As Sigfried Giedion mentioned : "Finland is with Aalto wherever he goes" in his influential book of Modernist architecture „Space, Time and Architecture: The growth of a new tradition”(1949).
„The Experimental house (1952-54) was Elissa and Alvar Aalto’s self-designed atelier and summer residence. It was inspired by the idea of an Ancient Roman atrium. The Experimental House is located in a beautiful spot on the rocky shore of Lake Päijänne, sheltered by the coastal forest. This is where Aalto had the freedom to experiment with different materials, forms, techniques and proportions.”
Muuratsalo combines 50 different bricks, arranged in unique patterns. By creating such patterns Aalto wanted to discover the possibilities in arranging the bricks and also explore how do they interact with nature conditions.
A fireplace is located in the center of the garden and makes a place for gathering people. “The open room” is made by walls which prevent the space from the wind and sun for different activities. But in the same time it's an intersection point between nature and building results its integration, as as all Altoo's architeture. A color contrast between green surrounding and red bricks complements each other making a coherent whole, the white color of the wall relies on Ancient inspiration of Aalto.
Doubtless, Muuratsalo Experimental house plays a significant role in studying the brick architecture, construction and integration of architecture and nature.
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