Villa Mairea : Pori, Finland: 1938-1939

Designed by Alvar Aalto

Principles & Elements

Naturally finished wood siding, installed both vertically and horizontally, help frame the enclosing second story balcony, the main building form to the left, and the spaces between the balcony and the ground. Vegetation covers part of the composition.
“Villa Mairea, Finland” by Ninara is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Principles and Elements are shown all throughout the interior and exterior of Villa Mairea. Vertical and horizontal LINES can be seen everywhere. TEXTURE is also seen heavily throughout the space through the use of wood and brick materials. Speaking of wood, it brings warmth and COLOR to both the interior and exterior. There is also a CONTRAST between the warmth of the woods and the white portion of the Villa.

Connections

A white-painted table and chairs sit beneath the second story deck that connects to the glass wall that is part of the house. A brightly hued blue tiled wall can be seen in the distance on the left side of the image. Vines grow up two columns in the view.
“Villa Mairea, Finland” by Ninara is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

A connection Aalto successfully makes throughout the Villa is the connectedness of the exterior and interior. Through the use of large glass windows you can see these elements being connected as one. The glass also allows for natural light to flow through the majority of the interior, enhancing the wooden materials.

Materials

The naturally lit interior, characterized by vertical tree-like columns that serve as wall partitions, stair divisions, and structure, is awash in light. A chair sits to the right in the foreground of the image. Several framed prints adorn the walls above a polished wood floor surface.
“interior” by andrewpaulcarr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Materials play a huge role in the cohesiveness of Villa Mairea. The exterior is constructed with two toned woods, white stucco, and large glass panel windows. A balance can be seen through the use of these materials making it pleasing for the broad eye. On the interior, wood, stucco, brick, carpet, and tile can be found throughout. All of these materials are used in an explicit way to make the space feel warm and inviting to the user. The many details within these materials all work together making the space refined, instead of overwhelming.

Light & Color

The verticals of the stair case descend from above as light washes in on a lone figure in the left side of the image. A corner-opening fireplace can be viewed between the figure and the stair opening. The ceiling and floor are continuous wood.
“interior” by andrewpaulcarr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Light and Color seen throughout the Villa are what makes the space so grand. The materials provide a warm color palette to the space, but the furniture also provides neutral colors into the mix. Large windows seen in the living space provide natural light to flow through, while lamps and pendants provide soft, warm light throughout other spaces. In this image, you can see that the space is quite dark, however you can see how much natural light comes through the large glass panels. This also is a way to see how light will change how materials look in the space. The wood closest to us is darker, while the same wood on the ceiling is brighter because the natural light.

Experience

The front entrance porch cover reaches from the building wall well into the landscape. Several slightly canted window boxes sit an an angle to the main facade, painted white. Vegetation is visible to the left side of the image, demonstrating the forest-like setting for the structure.
“Villa Mairea, Finland” by Ninara is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Alvar Aalto’s main goal was to establish a space where there were no harsh lines between the interior and exterior of Villa Mairea. Certain elements like wood and columns, mimicking trees, are seen carried throughout this environment. Windows are another way this experience has been created successfully. In this living space, large floor to ceiling panels connect users to the outside world. He envisioned that people would be a part of nature in this residence.

Theories

Image drawn by chapter author to show a simple eight-sided dark black pendant lighting fixture.
Lighting piece design by Aalto, drawn by the chapter author.

One theory that is present throughout the Villa is that Aalto designed special lighting to enforce the feeling of warmth throughout the space. It was also a way to bring emphasis to an area by directly emitting light around a certain space. You can see this throughout the living spaces and library, with table lamps and pendants. This image is of a light fixture that can be seen in the library.

Technology

A detail perspective view drawn by the chapter author of the curved wood railing in the midst of the stairway verticals.
Curved wood railing by Aalto, drawn by the chapter author.

Technology advancements Aalto used in Villa Mairea allows for the curve of materials, details, and furniture throughout the house. Chairs can also be seen, designed by Aalto, having curved legs and eccentric arm rests. Technology also allowed for large windows and organic shapes seen all over the interior. This drawing is of the curved wood surrounding the stairs.

Finishes

A stone fireplace on the covered patio, the blue-tiled wall, glass walls framed by wood, and plaster all provide examples of a broad materials palette specified by the architect.
“villa mairea alvar aalto (2)” by Lydia gonzález dios is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
A view from the building into the landscape, showing the treed lot in which the structure sits. A stone floor and a wood ceiling connect with a series of slender vertical in the foreground of the composition.
Untitled image by LeonL is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Popular exterior finishes you can see around this villa are stone and wood. You can see both of these finishes largely impacting the front entrance of the home creating a beautiful entrance and then a seating area as well, near the pool. Finishes in the interior of Villa Mairea sparked the transition from traditional to modern architecture and furniture. Aalto successfully incorporated wood, brick, and sleek finishes to make it feel like a more modern, lively space. This dwelling shifted interior design in a positive way.

Furnishings

Blue-dyed are rugs sit atop a polished wood floor. White upholstered chairs and occasional tables have been grouped around a corner opening fireplace. A statue sits on a table by the window. Light fixtures include several table lamps and a floor lamp. A column vertically grounds the composition on the left side of the image.
“interior” by andrewpaulcarr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Furnishings put in Villa Mairea were perfect for the entirety of the house. They flow well with the materials used and match the natural qualities and neutral colors the residence has. Some pieces were even designed by Aalto himself like seating and lighting.

Telling Stories

The villa serves as a backdrop for a kidney-shaped in ground pool. The treed property is visible beyond the simple villa structure.
“Villa Mairea (swimming pool)” by Joe Carroll is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Built by Alvar Aalto, a collage of materials were used in this piece amongst the natural landscape of birch trees outside. This residence, as he was given permission to experiment with his design styles, marked the transition from traditional to modern design.

Additional Resources

Nature of Alvar Aalto’s Villa Mairea

Villa Mairea Foundation to Preserve Values & Visits

Designer Alvar Aalto and his Products

Bibliography

“Alvar Aalto.” Artek, 2019.

“Light at Home: Villa Mairea.” Luciforma Architectural Lighting Design.

Sveiven, Megan. “AD Classics: Villa Mairea / Alvar Aalto.” ArchDaily, 28 Oct. 2010.

“The Nature of Alvar Aalto’s Villa Mairea.” AACD, 16 Nov. 2015.

Villa Mairea, Alvar Aalto – Studio 120 | Architecture and Design – Piacenza. Italy.

“Villa Mairea in Finland by Alvar Aalto.” ArchEyes, 30 Aug. 2016.

License

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To the extent possible under law, the authors has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to Villa Mairea : Pori, Finland: 1938-1939, except where otherwise noted.

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