Alvar Aalto

Considered to be one of the greatest Finnish architects and designers in the world, Alvar Aalto’s (1898 - 1976) modernist and humanist who focused his works heavily in elements of organic geometry and the use of natural materials. Aalto graduated from the Helsinki Institute of Technology in 1921, and his career in architecture began soon afterwards. It wasn’t long after however that his works began expanding into furniture, textiles, and glassware, and even sculptures and paintings as well. Considered by many to be the founding father of modern design, one of Aalto’s most ingenious patented innovations is the L-leg, which allows legs to be directly attached to tables, chairs, and stool tops. Together with his wife Aino Aalto and visual arts promoter Maire Gullichsen and art historian Nils-Gustav Hahl, Aalto created Artek, a world-renowned furniture and lighting company.