Aalto's house.

A short tram ride from the centre of Helsinki takes you to the end of the line at Munikkiemi. A short wander around the burbs as the free map of Helsinki from the hotel reception doesn't stretch that far. Not lost as such!

Aalto's house is now surrounded by tenement blocks and suburban bungaloids. It wasn't like that when the plot was purchased in open fields with a sea view. This was the family home for many years and the office for about twenty.

I had a guided tour and could then wander round taking photos. Materials and forms that found their way into later work are found here. For an Architect of such standing, the home is very modest. There is a Le Corbusier painting on the wall dedicated to Aalto's first wife.

Couple of pics to whet the appetite with more to follow on fb soon.