Alvar Aalto Houses

The work of Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto ranges from glassware and textiles to apartment buildings and weekend residences. Aalto’s foray into architecture is the focus of this biographical book. His clients were a mixed bag – they ranged from the privileged and wealthy to his close friends, such as his biographer and taxi driver. Here, twenty-six of his most important homes are presented; homes that are characterized by their “unique blend of organic details, modern volumes and vernacular elements.” These works also show Aalto’s sensitivity to his clients’ needs and to natural sites, as well as his extraordinary versatility. This review of one of architecture’s true icons deserves to become a keepsake.

Jari Jetsonen & Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen, Princeton Architectural Press, 2011, 224 pp. RRP $75.00.