Alvar Aalto

In what year did Aalto design the Paimio Sanatorium? What buildings designed by Aalto are found in the city of Seinäjoki? Where is the Church of the Three Crosses situated and when was it built? In the Alvar Aalto Foundation’s reference guide Alvar Aalto – What & When you can find the answer to these and many other questions regarding Aalto. Alvar Aalto participated during his lifetime in over 500 building projects, of which almost 100 were outside Finland. For over 50 years he actively participated in developing the built environment, designing everything from furniture to city centres, from hospitals and office buildings to churches, from private homes to apartment blocks. He also gave public addresses as well as wrote about architecture and networked with the most significant influential figures of his time. Alvar Aalto – What & When? is a reference book on both Aalto’s implemented and unimplemented designs, compiled in chronological order according to year and alphabetical order according to locality. Each year starts with an introduction which describes Aalto’s trips, the people he met and significant events in his work and private life. The texts are enlivened by quotes from Aalto’s writings and speeches as well as colourful writings by his contemporaries, which bring the human side of the architect Aalto closer to the reader. An abundance of versatile illustrations – approximately 70 drawings and photographs over a time span of 70 years – complements the detailed information package. In addition to the chronological material, it also includes Aalto’s complete CV, his membership of both Finnish and international societies, his titles, awards and competition prizes, as well as a list of his competition pseudonyms. The e-book is an indispensable reference source for researchers and everyone interested in Aalto’s architecture. The search functions enable the fast retrieval of the information – whether one is looking for an individual building, person, place, or year.