Alvar Aalto

Architecture Finnish 1898 – 1976 101 quotes

A Finnish architect and designer, he was known for his humanist approach to modernism, integrating organic forms and natural materials.

Quotes by Alvar Aalto

God created paper for the purpose of drawing architecture on it. Everything else is, at least for me, an abuse of paper.

Early writings 1922

Architecture is not a science. It is an art, and art is a human thing.

Speech, MIT 1953

The ultimate goal of the architect is to create a paradise. Every house, every product of architecture, should be a fruit of our endeavour to build an earthly paradise for people.

Speech, Royal Institute of British Architects 1957

The task of the architect is to make a more gentle world.

Speech, Helsinki 1958

We should work with nature, not against it.

Writings 1930

Modern architecture does not mean using new materials, but using existing materials in a new way.

Writings 1935

The building is a living organism, not a machine.

Writings 1940

Architecture is a synthesis of life in materialised form.

Speech 1950

The human scale is the most important thing in architecture.

Interview 1955

Form is a mystery that goes beyond geometry.

Writings 1960

The architect's most important tool is his imagination.

Interview 1965

Architecture is not about creating beautiful objects, but about creating beautiful environments.

Speech 1952

The details are not the details. They make the design.

Interview 1960

The purpose of architecture is to bring joy to people.

Speech 1957

Every building is a unique problem, and every solution must be unique.

Writings 1945

The most beautiful curves are those that are drawn by hand.

Writings 1930

Architecture is the art of giving form to human life.

Speech 1950

The sun never sets on a good building.

Interview 1960

The architect must be a poet, a philosopher, and a scientist.

Speech 1955

The true beauty of a building lies in its functionality.

Writings 1935