Alvar Aalto

Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is an iconic Finnish architect whose designs range from private houses to public buildings, and include such works as Villa Mairea, Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Paimio, and Viipuri (Vyborg) Library. He was meticulous about detail and, in addition to the architecture, would design the furniture and other furnishings, right down to wall tiles and doorknobs. The product designs he worked on, which include armchairs, stools, lights and streamlined glassware, are now so well-known around the world that one could say that they are a symbol of Finnish design.
Aalto’s works are grounded in humanism, in the wish to enrich people’s lives, and he also incorporated the organic forms he discovered in the abundant natural landscapes of Finland into his buildings and designs. No doubt that is why, when we encounter his buildings and designs, we can sense some kind of ‘second nature’ in their affinity with their surroundings, and in their harmony of space and light.
This international travelling exhibition has been curated by the Vitra Design Museum and the Alvar Aalto Museum. It started out in Germany and was then held in Spain, Denmark, Finland and France, before coming to Japan in 2018, 120 years after Aalto was born. It is his first solo exhibition here in last 20 years. Be sure not to miss this chance to rediscover the fascination of Alvar Aalto.

Original drawings (approx. 50 items)
Architectural models (approx. 15 items)
Furniture, lights, glassware, and other products (approx. 50 items)
Material samples for Wall tiles, door knobs, furniture and etc. (approx. 30 items)
Documents such as books, photographs and video (approx. 80 items)
Photographic works by the German photographer Armin Linke (approx. 60 items)