Text description provided by the architects. The original clients, Mr. and Mrs. Ishii, he was a sculptor and she was a painter. This was to be used as an atelier. They wanted to invite people over from time to time for concerts. They were acquaintances (or should I call them comrades) from the days of student protests.
Text description provided by the architects. After making a few basic requests, Mr. Yamakawa had very little to say. He wanted a spacious terrace--a place that was like a living room where he could also take his meals and relax the whole day long. The villa would be used mainly as a summer retreat; it would not be used in winter.
A collage of materials amongst the trunks of countless birch trees in the Finnish landscape, the Villa Mairea built by Alvar Aalto in 1939 is a significant dwelling that marks a transition from traditional to modern architecture. Built as a guest house and rural retreat for Harry and Maire Gullichsen, Aalto was given permission to experiment with his thoughts and styles, which becomes clear when studying the strangely cohesive residence.
