Architectural Cycle tour to Alvar Aalto

Destinations

Alvar Aalto Museum (1971-73), Alvar Aallon katu 7, is one of Alvar Aalto´s later period works. When the building was completed in 1973, the museum exhibited both art and architecture. Today the museum is dedicated exclusively to showcasing Aalto´s lifetime achievements.

Next to it is Museum of Central Finland (1957-61, extension 1990), which functions as the City museum of Jyväskylä and as the provincial museum of Central Finland.  There was a rumour in the opening ceremony of the museum that Aalto has said this museum to be the second best museum in the world. When he was asked that what is the best museum then, he said: ”I haven´t designed that yet!”

Casa Laurén (1925-28), Vapaudenkatu 12 was designed for two families in 1925. Interesting themes of the house were for example high staircase, classical arcadian roofs, a fence with decoration and an arch gate. Since the 1950´s the building has been changed little by little, and today it´s very difficult to find Aalto´s design in the house.

The Jyväskylä Administrative and Cultural centre (1964-82) is part of Aalto´s original scheme for the town centre. The second phase of the administrative building, a striking, high-rise ”council tower”, was never built. Police headquarters was the first building to be finished. There´s a signature of Alvar Aalto on the wall of the building. Can you find it?

Defence Corps Building (1926-29) building shows Aalto´s stylistic transition from classicism to functionalism, the former still visible in the decoration detailing, the latter in the layout, elevations and floor plan. Today the building has been almost fully remodelled.
* Vapaudenkatu 53, Nikolainkulma
Alvar Aalto´s first architecture office existed in the basement of the contemporary city hotel. Even though the office was really simple, on the fence just outside the office stood with huge letters: ”THE ALVAR AALTO OFFICE FOR ARCHITECTURE AND MONUMENTAL ARTS”

Workers´Club (1924-25) building was Aalto´s first major public building. The Workers´Club is the key work of Aalto´s classical period, and it represents typical classicism of the 1920´s with its renaissance influences.

Renovation of Nuora House (1923-24). Nuora House was originally one-and-a-half storeys high. Aalto converted it into a two-storey residential and commercial building with projecting stairways and balconies.

Viitatorni (1957-62) is thirteen stories high, housing some 70 flats. This high-rise block of flats is a unifying landmark in the low-rise garden suburb of Viitaniemi. Because of its ap-pearance this 39 meters high building was the highest building in Jyväskylä until the year 2002, when the Innova Tower was completed. Did Viitatorni is also called as ”Aalto´s Tusk” because of its figure.

Aira House (1924-26), a  three-storey brick building – commissioned as housing for railway workers – was Aalto´s first attempt at a block of flats. With its symmetry it represents Aalto´s classical period in the 1920´s. There are lots of small beatiful details in this building.  

Jyväskylä University Campus (1951-71) was progressively extended in line with Aalto’s proposal. The eye-catching rar elevations and surrounding pinewoods form an enclosure around a classically inspired ceremonial court. When Aalto joined the competition, he used a latin pseudonym ”Urbs” meaning the city. Aalto has also placed the buildings in the nature like it was a small city!

Villa Karpio (1923). The renovation of this Villa was among the first assignments secured in Jyväskylä by Aalto’s architectural office. Aalto’s original proposal was carried out in considerably reduced scale. The villa retains its original appearance.