THE FAIR IS SOLD OUT!
ALVAR AND AINO AALTO'S SUNILA
- Workers' Paradise in Kotka
Aug. 24-25, 2024
SUNILA AALTO HOMES EVENT WILL ONCE AGAIN OPEN THEIR DOORS TO VISITORS ON AUGUST 24-25, 2024
SUNILA, designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto, represents the architect couple's most extensive realized unified design work in Sunila, Kotka. The area features a residential area and the Sunila pulp mill, referred to as Finland's most beautiful factory, both designed by Aalto. For the factory's labor, Aino and Alvar Aalto designed this nature-near forested hillside by the sea between 1936-1954. The Sunila residential area, along with its factories, was presented at the World Expos in Paris and New York in 1937 and 1939, respectively, becoming an icon of Aalto's architecture. Aalto's Sunila is proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside 12 other domestic Aalto sites.
In the residential area, Aalto realized the modern ideal of 1930s architecture by placing buildings openly according to light and cardinal directions. Characteristically for Aalto, nature and the terrain's shapes guided the placement of buildings. Internationally known and architecturally significant, Sunila is a MUST-visit for anyone interested in architecture and design.
"Everything we attach to our native soil must be done in a way that does not spoil but, on the contrary, refines what was once our `pure nature' landscape." -Alvar Aalto
In late August 2024, the Aalto homes will once again open their doors to visitors, offering a chance to explore the private homes designed by Aalto.
The Sunila Aalto Homes 2023 event was a success, with tickets selling out quickly. Visitors came from all over Finland, and the event received a lot of positive feedback for its good organization and warm atmosphere, but especially for the beautiful private homes that opened their doors to visitors.
"Sunila Aalto Homes! The open house event, part of the international Aalto week organized by Pro Sunila, was most wonderful. In addition to the beautiful homes, what remained was a warm and open atmosphere. The stories of fourteen home sites (permanently inhabited apartments, holiday homes, accommodations, and collector-decorated apartments) were fascinating, and their tellers had thrown themselves in with a great attitude – thank you for letting us visit!" -Red Wine Renovation blog, Facebook, September 3, 2023
"I became fascinated by simplification, the idea of functionalism that when we get rid of unnecessary ornamentation, we bring out practicality and the beauty of forms." -Karri Laitinen, one of the residents who showcased their apartment, Avotakka magazine 10/2023
At the Aalto Homes 2024 event, about 18 unique private apartments in Aino and Alvar Aalto's Sunila will open their doors to visitors on August 24-25, 2024, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Contact person/ interview requests
Kikka Seppä, spokesperson Sunila Aalto Homes 2024
Kikkaseppa@gmail.com
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