aino + alvar aalto: phaidon book takes readers into the lives and work of the iconic design duo

Aino + Alvar Aalto: A Life Together, a visual biography by Phaidon

Phaidon presents Aino + Alvar Aalto: A Life Together, a new book that delves into the lives and work of Aino and Alvar Aalto, a renowned design duo. This visual biography offers a glimpse into their creative partnership, showcasing their iconic design contributions from the 20th century. Authored by Heikki Aalto-Alanen, the couple’s grandson, this book is a monograph and a personal biography. It offers insights into the lives of Aino and Alvar Aalto through a collection of archival materials, including letters, photographs, and sketches, many of which have never been published before.

Released on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Alvar Aalto’s birth in 1898, the book features a cloth-bound cover inspired by their famous glassware designs. While Alvar Aalto is widely recognized as an influential figure in 20th-century architecture, the book also acknowledges his contributions as a talented designer. Together, they designed notable public buildings like the Viipuri Library and the Paimo Sanatorium, as well as private residences such as the Villa Mairea. Additionally, they co-founded Artek in 1935, a company known for its modern Finnish art and design. Artek continues to thrive, encompassing a range of design disciplines, from bentwood chairs to glassware, textiles, and ceramics, reflecting the creative legacy of the couple. 

Municipal Library, Viipuri, Finland, 1927–35. Picture credit: Gustaf Welin,Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 69) library exterior, showing entrance hall

A Glimpse into Aino + Alvar Aalto’s Creative World

Aino + Alvar Aalto: A Life Together invites readers to explore the unique partnership and creative journey of these two individuals who left a lasting impact on the world of design. It’s a celebration to honor their work and the love that inspired their creative projects, offering insights into their impressive contributions to art and design.

The book showcases Aino + Alvar Aalto’s significant design projects through sketches, photos, and drawings. It also celebrates their life together, tracing their journey from early life to Aino’s sudden passing in 1949. The book includes photo albums of their travels, including family vacations, road trips, and international ventures during World War II. The archival letters between Aino and Alvar, as well as with family, friends, and colleagues, provide a unique understanding of their personalities, complemented by historical context from Aalto-Alanen’s accessible text.

‘Through these letters, Alvar and Aino’s own voices can be heard,’ Aalto-Alanen writes in the foreword. ‘[They] allow Aino and Alvar to tell, in their own words, what everyday life was like for this exceptional couple during the years they spent together, and to explain what was on their minds.’

Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Paimio, Finland, 1929-1933. Picture credit: GustafWelin, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 96) Paimio chairs in the patients’recreation room

Paimio Chair. Picture credit: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 97,bottom) designed for Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Paimio, Finland, 1929-1933

Villa Mairea, Noormarkku, Finland, 1937–39. Picture credit: Rauno Trä skelin,courtesy Mairea foundation (page 207) living room

Villa Mairea, Noormarkku, Finland, 1937–39. Picture credit: Rauno Trä skelin,courtesy Mairea foundation (page 206, top) seen from the garden

Finnish Pavilion, New York World’s Fair, New York, USA, 1938-9. Picturecredit: Eino Mäkinen, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 220, bottom) interiorshowing the ‘northern lights’ wall

Milan Triennale, Italy, 1936. Artek Pavilion. Picture credit: FototecnicoCrimella, Artek Collection/Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 179)

Artek. Chair, designed 1933. Picture credit: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 168, bottom)

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Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Aino + Alvar Aalto. A Life Together. Heikki Aalto-Alanen. Phaidon

Riihitie House, Helsinki, Finland, 1935–36. Picture credit: courtesy HeikkiAalto-Alanen (page 176, top) Aino and Alvar Aalto in the garden of the newhouse in 1936

Aino and Alvar Aalto in Norway, 1930. Picture credit: courtesy Heikki Aalto-Alanen (page 98, bottom right)

Municipal Library, Viipuri, Finland, 1927–35. Picture credit: Gustaf Welin,Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 71, top) reading and reference rooms withcentral staircase and grid of rooflights

Artek, first showroom, Helsinki, Finland, 1936. Picture credit: ArtekCollection/Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 165)

Aino and Alvar Aalto, Artek-Pascoe store, Manhattan, New York, USA, 1940,taken by Herbert Matter. Picture credit: Herbert Matter, courtesy of theDepartment of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries (page 245)

Turun Sanomat Building, Turku, Finland, 1927–29. Picture credit: GustafWelin, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 82, bottom)

Alvar Aalto, entry to a 1937 Karhula glassware competition. Picture credit:Alvar Aalto?, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 193, top)

Artek, first showroom, Helsinki, Finland, 1936. Picture credit: Heinrich Iffland,Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 164)

Aino on her engagement day in 1924. Picture credit: courtesy Heikki Aalto-Alanen (page 45, top)

‘Bölgeblick’ glassware, originally designed in 1932 by Aino Aalto. Picturecredit: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 180, bottom)

Riihimäki Flower’ glassware, 1933. Picture credit: Maija Holma, Alvar AaltoFoundation (page 136)

Finnish Pavilion, New York World’s Fair, New York, USA, 1938-9. Picturecredit: Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 221, top). perspective sketch of the interior

Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Paimio, Finland, 1929–33. Picture credit: MikkoHietaharju, Alvar Aalto Foundation (page 92) colour scheme

Variations on the ‘Aalto vase’. Picture credit: courtesy Iittala (page 192)

Riihitie House, Helsinki, Finland, 1935–36. Picture credit: courtesy HeikkiAalto-Alanen (page 175) Aino’s watercolour of the house in 1943

Aino Aalto, watercolour of San Miniato, near Florence, Italy. Picture credit:courtesy Heikki Aalto-Alanen (page 329)

project info:

title of the book: Aino + Alvar Aalto: A Life Together

author: Heikki Aalto-Alanen
publication date: September 27, 2023

publisher: Phaidon | @Phaidonpress
extent: 352 pp
price: $150.00