THE AALTO APARTMENT
Novemeber 2020 - December 2020
Individual Project
Individual Project
Inspired by the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, this is a design for the penthouse apartments in the Lee Towers. During my investigation of his work, I dsicovered two archetypical styles. His public style which is mostly featured in churches, universities and other public buildings, and his private style which can be found in his domestic builds.
The Maison Louis Carré, which he designed in 1959 for an art collector, had a strong influence on this project. In Aalto’s design, he created a series of separation walls to seclude the domestic life of the family from the “puclic” areas where clients would often visit. By mimicking these spereation walls in my design, I was able to explore both of his public and private architectural styles.
PUBLIC
Aalto’s public style is characterized by vast spaces with high cielings, and exposed curved structural elements. Most elements are smooth white plaster, broken up by warmer details of wood. In a few of his projects he included amphitheatre inspired seating areas. This something I mimicked with tall steps which encourage casual seating.
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Aalto’s public style is characterized by vast spaces with high cielings, and exposed curved structural elements. Most elements are smooth white plaster, broken up by warmer details of wood. In a few of his projects he included amphitheatre inspired seating areas. This something I mimicked with tall steps which encourage casual seating.
PRIAVTE
On the other hand, Aalto’s domestic style is warmer and more sectioned. Rooms are divided by functions, but by his “gesamtkunstwerk” approach, have unity in details and material. Throughout his career he experimented with wood bending techniques and utilized timber in a majority of his domestic builds to create a warmer atmosphere.
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On the other hand, Aalto’s domestic style is warmer and more sectioned. Rooms are divided by functions, but by his “gesamtkunstwerk” approach, have unity in details and material. Throughout his career he experimented with wood bending techniques and utilized timber in a majority of his domestic builds to create a warmer atmosphere.
