Villa Mairea, Modernist residence in Noormarkku, Finland
Villa Mairea is a residence and museum in Noormarkku near Pori that combines wood, stone, and brick with large windows, using an L-shaped floor plan to connect indoor and outdoor areas. The architecture integrates natural materials and curved lines, making the boundaries between building and surrounding forest appear fluid.
Alvar and Aino Aalto designed the building in 1939 for Harry and Maire Gullichsen, who gave the architects complete creative freedom. The project emerged during a period of intense experimentation with organic forms and local materials in Finnish architecture.
The name honors Maire Gullichsen, who commissioned this residence with her husband and whose art collection from different countries remains visible inside. The rooms show how Finnish design meets international influences, creating an environment that feels both personal and experimental.
Visitors can explore the ground floor through guided tours limited to 15 people, while the upper level remains private and inaccessible. The tours offer a chance to see room layouts and details up close, so booking ahead is recommended.
The pool area displays curved forms that interact with the surrounding forest, creating a natural transition between structure and landscape. This zone illustrates how organic design can incorporate functional spaces without losing their connection to nature.
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