Alvar Aalto And The Art Of Landscape

Alvar Aalto and The Art of Landscape captures the essence of the Finnish architect’s landscape concept, emphasising culture and tradition, which characterised his approach to and understanding of architecture as part of the wider environment. From the forests of his youth to sights from his travels, Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was influenced by outdoor landscapes. Throughout his career, he felt the need to shape the terrain and this became a signature of his architecture. Divided into five chapters, this book traces Aalto’s relationship with landscape, starting with an analysis of his definitions and descriptions of landscape language, which ranged from natural references and biological terms, to synonyms and comparisons. It includes beautifully illustrated case study projects from the 1950s and 1960s, discussing Aalto’s transformation of different landscapes through topography, terracing and tiers, ruins and natural elements, horizon outlines, landmarks, and the repetition of form. Featuring archival sketches, garden drawings, and plans, the book also contains Aalto’s text ‘Architecture in the Landscape of Central Finland’ from 1925 in the appendix. This book provides fascinating, untold insights into Aalto’s relationship with landscape and how this developed during his lifetime, for scholars, researchers, and students interested in architecture and landscape history, landscape art, and cultural studies.

Charting the latest advances in thinking and practice in 21st-century landscape, this edition of AD looks at the degree to which landscape architects and architects have rethought and redefined the parameters for the interaction of buildings, infrastructures and surrounding landscape. Landscape Architecture: Site-Non-Site defines the key moves affected in the revision of landscape, using a compilation of some of the most current work in the field. Featured designers include: James Corner of Field Operations, Kathryn Findlay, Adriaan Geuze of West 8, Gross Max, Bernard Lassus, Gustafson Porter, Maggie Ruddick, Ken Smith and Michael van Valkenburgh. There are contributions from Lucy Bullivant, Peter Cook, Jayne Merkel, Juhani Pallasmaa and Grahame Shane.

Published to accompany exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, 19/2 19/5 1998.

By assessing the historical, personal and intellectual influences of two of the greatest figures in modern architecture - Le Corbusier and Alvar Aalto, this study offers an understanding about the diversity at the heart of modernism.

Drawing on his own experience and intimate knowledge of Nordic architecture in Scandinavia, the author situates Aalto (1898-1976) within the realms of international modernism and Finnish culture, and explores his inspirations: the Finnish landscape and vernacular traditions, Italian domestic architecture, and Greek site planning, as well as the work of architects such as Gunnar Asplund and Le Corbusier. The complete range of Aalto's work is examined through a study of recurring themes and through detailed investigations of key projects. Abundantly illustrated. 10x11.75" c. Book News Inc.

One of the most interesting features of Alvar Aalto?s work was the ingenious way he integrated nature and architecture. He was a master at weaving landscapes into his designs, inviting nature to grow as part of the architecture.00?Everything that we add to our home soil must be done in such a way as not to degrade, but to cultivate our ?pure nature?.?00This is the first book ever taking a comprehensive look at Aalto?s achievements in garden art and landscape architecture. He drew inspiration for his ideas and works from various sources: Finnish nature, Mediterranean cultural landscapes, classical antiquity and Japanese garden art. His ideas still retain their relevance today:00?The white table taught me that we must be tactful with nature, that we must foster life ? though not with technical means.?00The book highlights famous projects including the private residence of Aino and Alvar Aalto, Villa Mairea, Säynätsalo Town Hall, the Muuratsalo Experimental House and Maison Carré. Alvar Aalto always collaborated with wife Aino and also with his second wife Elissa. The essays are by Aalto experts from Finland, Sweden and the UK.

An in-depth analysis of contemporary landscape architecture of the past decade.