Designer: Alvar Aalto, 1898 - 1976
From: Finland
Alvar Aalto is known for his humanistic approach to modern architecture; not just the structure, but every detail inside is considered to best serve the user. Growing from that philosophy, his signature bent plywood furniture and curvy vases became the cornerstones for modern organic and Scandinavian design.
Facts:
• Faucets in Aalto's Paimio Sanatorium were designed to be noiseless to avoid disturbing patients.
• To keep up with production of his popular furniture designs, he co-founded Artek in 1935.
• While teaching at MIT, Aalto designed the student dormitory Baker House.
• Since he was one of Finland's most important figures, if Aalto was late for a Finnair flight, they'd hold the plane. He enjoyed this so much that even in the rare occasions he was on time, Aalto would circle the airport until he could make a grand entrance.
Quote: Building art is a synthesis of life in materialised form. We should try to bring in under the same hat not a splintered way of thinking, but all in harmony together.
Attended: Helsinki University of Technology
Known for: Bent plywood, organic curves, humanistic design
Representative Pieces Shown Above: (left to right)
1) Paimio Chair, 1932, via the Metropolitan Museum of Art
2) Stool 60, 1933, via Artek
3) Savoy Vase, 1937, via Iittala
4) Tea Trolley 901, 1936, via Wikimedia Commons
5) Timeline of Aalto furniture via Artek
Aalto On the Web:
• Wikipedia
• Design Museum
• Artek
• Iittala
• Alvar Aalto Museo
• Museum of Modern Art
(Images: as credited above)
Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space
Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
10 Picnic-Ready Salads to Eat Outside
Recipe: Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
I have a Paimio chair as the guest chair in my office, and it always amazes me how incredibly comfortable it is for an unupholstered piece. I regularly take breaks from the hideous, uncomfortable, supposedly ergonomic chair supplied by my employer just to relax there.
<3
@HORROR VACUI, my local Anthropologie had one of those chairs for years, and I was so blown away by how comfortable it was that I regularly dragged friends over to sit in it whenever I was out shopping. Maybe my friends were just humoring me and my strange enthusiasm, but they always agreed that it was shockingly cozy.
Since he was one of Finland's most important figures, if Aalto was late for a Finnair flight, they'd hold the plane. He enjoyed this so much that even in the rare occasions he was on time, Aalto would circle the airport until he could make a grand entrance.
rude.