Villa Mairea was built in 1938–39 for Maire and Harry Gullichsen at Noormarkku, Finland. Alvar and Aino Aalto developed the house as an unusually rich domestic experiment, with Aino playing an important role in the interiors. The clients' interest in art and modern design supported a home in which architecture, furnishings and the surrounding landscape could be considered together.
The facades combine white render with wood and stone. At the entrance, an irregular canopy and slender timber elements introduce a softer scale than the main building's clean volumes suggest. Inside, poles beside the stair create a loose rhythm, while changes in level and materials distinguish areas within the larger living space. These details give the house a varied, tactile character.
The garden is closely connected to the plan. A sliding outer wall opens the living area toward it, and a covered route links the house with the sauna. Bedrooms and Maire's painting studio occupy the upper floor. Public rooms, private retreat and outdoor life become parts of one carefully composed setting.
Armchair by Aalto
