SRT251; Construction and Structures 2

Georgi Fairley; 500126233

Major Assignment

Office Warehouse Design

Architect :

Alvar Aalto

http://xwilde.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_xwilde_archive.html ; http://archiguide.free.fr/AR/aalto.htm ; http://www.travelonline.fi/fi/html/nahtavyydet/Alvar_Aalto_MuseoInfo.html ; http://icar.poliba.it/storiacontemporanea/seminari/delconte/delconte04/img14.htm ; http://www.morehousegallery.com/images/inventory/300/stoller%20e%2000014.jpg; http://www.edelstall.at/Designer/alvar_aalto/alvar_aalto_g.jpg

“Modern architecture does not mean the use of immature new materials; the main thing is to refine materials in a more human direction.” - Aalto

Alvar Aalto was born in Kuortane, Finland, 1898, and died in Helsinki, Finland, in 1876.

Though he traveled all around the world, created many inspiring designs, it would always be Finland to which he returned home, and always where his architectural instincts were based, among tall forests and snow, warm timber construction and houses designed for living in.

Aalto, while incorporating much of the international style, strongly believed in the humanist aspect of architecture. Similarly, nature and site had a large influence on his work, so that each design is individual, and to some degree, anthropomorphic.

Believing that architecture should be a development of nature, much of his design contains a contrast between the linearity of ‘modern architecture’ and the organic forms inspired by nature.

Villa Mairea

Church of Three Crosses, Vuoksenniska

Seinajoki Church; Säynätsalo,town Hall; Riola Parish Church

the

ConceptInitial design: Extruded window

frames echoing both Aalto's ideal of organic form and the linear aspect of the industrial landscape.

Timber louvers dispersing the light for the height of the first floor, also covering the view and drawing the eye upwards to the sky.

However the full height window arrangement, influenced by the walls of the Finnish pavilion, 1939, allows an excess of light to enter the building. Also, they does not particularly reflect the industrial landscape.

Additionally, the construction technique I had designed for the windows, steel rods or cables at diverse angles; looked painful, rather than graceful and light.

the

Model

Plan ;

indicating section taken

Individual, curved windows allow a mass of light into the balcony first floor, and over into the ground floor

Solid precast concrete panels; long, horizontal

windows; reflection of site context.

Aalto uses light and effects of light carefully in all his buildings

Angled roof design reflects Aalto’s interest in creating architectural aesthetic through both ornamentation and structural detailing.

The structure has been pushed from within, upwards and outwards, enhancing the sensation of space and light

Structural detailing explores the materiality of the form, polished steel against the warmth of timber

Timber and steel composite columns and bracketed joints suggest tall trees, something the Finnish architect was

intrigued by, as forest imagery appears often in his work

Dark copper roofing is inspired by the Church of Three Crosses, Vuoksenniska.

Dark granite tiles ground the space created, by the expansion and white walls and ceiling.

A combination of pad and raft footings, all with steel reinforcement, give the building a solid base.

I’ve tried to be innovative and to think like a great architect, to create as Aalto might. This is the result.