Today's archidose #128
Säynätsalo Town Hall in Säynätsalo, Finland by Alvar Aalto, 1952. Compare the overgrown steps in this shot to this early photograph on the cover of Architectural Regionalism.
To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:
:: Join and add photos to the archidose pool, and/or
:: Tag your photos archidose
So what's the story? Presumably the earlier circulation plan didn't work so they changed it? Interesting.
ReplyDeleteOther than that curiosity, is this building of any significance except for the architect's name?
This building represents the architectural ideas of Aalto more than any other, and it is maybe Aalto's masterpiece. Besides that, I may have never seen architecture that blends in so well, where the architect perfectly understood how to insert architecture into nature, from the use of materials (red brick, also flawed ones, to create a unique and diverse pattern, and wood) to creating a patio in the middle of nowhere. I am not a 100% sure about the overgrown steps, but I suppose that this is just the deliberate and consequent progress of the building merging with its surroundings. Hope that answers your question. G.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gunnar.
ReplyDeleteBut I wish I could see what is so great about this work. I guess that is what "makes markets" -- differences of opinions.
As to the steps, you actually think that they designed & built the steps with the specific intention of letting them be overgrown? That's what I get out of "...I suppose that this is just the deliberate and consequent progress of the building merging with its surroundings."
Hi David, I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was planned that way. I think it is just a result, as it started to overgrow, they figured that it can stay like this. From another point of view, you might say that because the building blends in so well with the surroundings, the overgrowing didn't disturb the architecture, it fits. I just like it that way, it makes sense, the building integrates itself into the forest even more - By the way, there is a great TV documentation on that building. It is made by the German / French TV station arte. (avaliable in English as well)
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing this out - a great example of architectural mediation.
ReplyDeleteYou can see from this photo that the steps aren't really steps per se, but more of a planted terrace. Whether this terrace was supposed to get quite so overgrown or not, who knows? There was a renovation of this masterpiece in the mid 90s but nevertheless, Aalto used to say that it would take 50 years before his buildings could be judged properly. And I would imagine he meant judged in the flesh rather than in a photo. More than any other architect, it is impossible to judge his buildings on photos and drawings. I never "got" Aalto as a student with all his seemingly irrational lines and random materials, but on visiting them, they are in a class of their own. I was a complete convert. He's one of those rare modern architects (from the "other tradition" that I see advertised in the right hand column) that creates buildings to be inhabited rather than photographed.
Sure like to see a site plan. I see what you mean about the "steps" but that sure is an odd thing to do in a spot that looks like it would want circulation.
ReplyDeleteHere is an excellent resource for this building. It's still only a web page but it gives a lot of info.
ReplyDeleteNope, I haven't been able to find a site plan...i.e. Aalto's own site plan to see how he described it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems quite strange that he would build something is in a spot where one would expect a stair and something which looks like a stair from one side and yet it appears to be a series of landscaped benches.
Very strange.