► One of the most interesting features of Alvar Aalto’s work was the ingenious way he integrated nature and architecture. He was a master at weaving landscapes into his designs, inviting nature to grow as part of the architecture. “Everything that we add to our home soil must be done in such a way as not to degrade, but to cultivate our ‘pure nature’.”
This is the first book ever taking a comprehensive look at Aalto’s achievements in garden art and landscape architecture. He drew inspiration for his ideas and works from various sources: Finnish nature, Mediterranean cultural landscapes, classical antiquity and Japanese garden art. His ideas still retain their relevance today: “The white table taught me that we must be tactful with nature, that we must foster life – though not with technical means.”
The book highlights famous projects including the private residence of Aino and Alvar Aalto, Villa Mairea, Säynätsalo Town Hall, the Muuratsalo Experimental House and Maison Carré. The essays are by Aalto experts from Finland and Sweden.