AALTO – Aino Alvar Elissa. The Human Dimension of Design

The narrative of Aalto’s design philosophy is a tale where buildings and design exist in perfect harmony with both nature and the people who inhabit them. This intent, which has assumed an entire new dimension of relevance in the decades since the years in which the Studio was active, is the founding principle and key point of interest around which the exhibition catalogue Aalto – Aino Alvar Elissa. The Human Dimension of Design revolves. In the Aalto vision, architecture, art, and design are inseparable components of a unified whole, at the centre of which lies the human being. Their buildings have become icons, influencing architects worldwide, while their design objects, aided by the Studio’s attention to low-cost mass production, have found places in many homes and are still in production today.

The publication explores the design and the life of 12 projects realised by the Aalto Studio throughout their entire professional career. In addition to their architectural achievements, the Aaltos were also prolific designers, creating a wide range of furniture, lighting, and textiles that are celebrated for their timeless elegance and functionality. This dimension of the Studio’s practice is reflected through a number of additional thematic clusters exploring the Studio’s work with glass and fabric, its furniture, its lighting, and the special attention it always paid to children. A concept that emerges clearly from a contemporary rereading of the studio’s work is that the Aaltos were pioneers in sustainable design long before it became a mainstream concern. Their humanistic approach to design, innovative use of materials, and commitment to sustainability have left an indelible mark on the field of architecture and continue to inspire generations of architects and designers today – in Italy and beyond. (from the essay by Joseph Grima).