Transcultural dwelling: an exploration of finnish and Japanese influences in Alvar Aalto’s design of Villa Mairea

Abstract

This research examines the influence of Finnish and Japanese dwelling cultures in the design of Villa Mairea, a pivotal work of the architect Alvar Aalto. The problem statement revolves around the need to understand how Aalto integrated two distinct dwelling cultures into a single architectural expression, diverging from the dominant rationalism of his era. The research employs qualitative analysis of architectural elements in Villa Mairea, interviews, memoirs, and examination of Aalto’s personal library, revealing an intricate interplay of Finnish and Japanese influences. Results indicate that Aalto achieved a profound synthesis of Finnish and Japanese dwelling cultures, resulting in an architectural language rich in ma-terial sensuality, subsequently becoming synonymous with Nordic architecture. The design principles inherent in Villa Mairea demonstrate the philosophies of Regionalism and Critical Regionalism, balancing local cultural elements with uni-versal modernist principles. The conclusion drawn from the research provides substantial implications for architectural theory and practice, suggesting the potential for architects to create contextually grounded and transcultural-informed architecture. The study also opens avenues for further research in the field of sensory architecture, the role of transcultural influences in other architectural works, and comparative studies on different architects’ approaches to cultural integration.