Author Description

"Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) was one of the most internationally oriented Finns of all time. He was skilled in networking and established enduring contacts with colleagues around the world already in the 1920s. During the Finnish Civil War, he had become acquainted with the Swedish architect Sten Branzell, through whom he established relations first with colleagues in Scandinavia. Later from 1929, when he first attended a CIAM congress, he built a worldwide professional network. There were always foreign architects working in Aalto's office, where he was happy to welcome guests coming from foreign countries. Aalto's field of action encompassed almost the entire world: he lectured extensively, participated successfully in architectural competitions and received numerous awards and commissions from abroad. Since then, there has never been any real competition in Finland to Aalto's career abroad. In this book, internationally renowned Aalto experts discuss Aalto's work beyond Finland through his projects, buildings and network. The critical essays are complemented by the list of all Aalto's known works and projects abroad, as well as a list of Aalto's trips abroad based on archival research. The book is the partner publication to 'Aalto Beyond Finland. Architecture and Design', published in 2015 and launched at the 2nd Alvar Aalto International Seminar in Rovaniemi"--Back cover.