The Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) is one of the great figures of modern architecture, ranked alongside Gropius, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. This film analyses Aalto’s uniquely successful resolution of the demands and possibilities created by new technology and construction materials with the need to make his buildings sympathetic both to their users and to their natural surroundings. His inventive use of timber in particular represents both a reference to the forest landscape of Finland and a building material that is ‘warm’ and extremely adaptable. Filmed in Finland, Italy, Germany and the USA, this documentary shows how the Finnish natural environment and art traditions were essential elements in Aalto’s pioneering harmonization of technology and nature.

Alvar Aalto - Technology and Nature

Producer Alvar Aalto / Published 1996 / Duration: 59min / Director: Ywe Jalander

https://archive.org/details/ubu-aalto_technology

100x100 masterhouses 002 // MAISON LOUIS CARRE

Alvar Aalto // Bazoches-sur-Guyonne (Francia) // 1956-1959

“La arquitectura no es una ciencia. Su propósito todavía es armonizar el mundo material y la vida humana. Hacer arquitectura más humana significa mejor arquitectura, y esto quiere decir un funcionalismo mucho más amplio que el meramente técnico. Esta meta sólo puede alcanzarse con la creación y combinación de diferentes elementos técnicos, de tal modo que faciliten la más armoniosa vida al ser humano.” Alvar Aalto(1)