Interactions of Art and Architecture - The Case of Alvar Alto's Town Hall in Säynätsalo

Abstract

The Town Hall, completed in 1951, is a benchmark in the new phase in Alvar Aaltos architecture. Aalto actively promoted acquiring high quality artworks throughout the project and provided appropriate spaces for them in the building. The union of other artists works with Aaltos architecture was more obvious here than in any of his earlier or subsequent projects. In his later career, in his major public projects, Aalto did not take advantage of such opportunities, and he started to provide the artworks by himself. In this regard, Säynätsalo Town Hall is a unique building in Aaltos career. This article reviews the history and background of various works of art intended for the building by Aalto, and it gives more accurate narrative of the artworks. It also deepens the understanding of Aaltos masterpiece and his ideas of combining artworks and architecture.