Saynatsalo Town Hall

The visitor book in Saynatsalo town hall now has one Oliver Golding of Winchester listed having visited today. It looks like they get an Architect visiting every other day and politely welcome you to their building. Despite the number of Architects making the pilgrimage, the folk of Saynatsalo are very proud of their town hall and you have the run of the place.

Alvar Aalto won an open competition in 1949 and the building was completed in 1951. The original competition drawings are hung on the walls.

Whilst small in scale the buildings house not only the town hall but shops, guest rooms and the library. I was very tempted to have a quick trim at the Aalto Hair Salon.

I can't say anything about the building that hasn't been said already by those more eloquent than myself. It was a magical hour or so strolling round the building, sitting in the council chamber and taking loads of photographs in the crisp frosty sunshine that set the sharp red brick building off beautifully in its grove of spruce trees.

I am now the proud owner of 3 post cards, a pencil and a cone from one of the spruces.

Couple of pics below. If you get the chance come and see for yourselves.










Just to prove I was there!!