| Title |
A Comparative Study on Classical Architecture of Gunnar Asplund and Alvar Aalto |
| Keywords |
Gunnar Asplund ; Alvar Aalto ; Nordic Classicism ; Modern Architecture |
| Abstract |
This paper aims at comparing Gunnar Asplund's and Alvar Aalto's architectures in their classical periods (respectively ca. 1915~28 and 1918~27) to clarify similarities and differences of them. Under the stream of the so-called "Nordic Classicism", they produced classical buildings in their own countries: Asplund in Sweden and Aalto in Finland. Despite similar features between their classical buildings, the two architects illustrated some decisive differences in their context and architectural attitudes. First, Asplund's classical period, followed by the National Romantic stage, showed us his mature architectural language, but Aalto's classical period was his starting point as architect when he should learn from history and his precedents. Second, in the period, Asplund's influence on Aalto was so significant that the relationship was like that of "teacher-pupil". But the situation changed at the end of 1920s when they converted to functionalism, and they came to mutually influence each other afterwards. Third, Aalto's conversion to functionalism in 1927 was 1~2 years earlier than that of Asplund, and soon Aalto tried to obliterate his classical period that seemed not that glorious. But Asplund's classical motif could be regarded as "archetypal" rather than as a style. which re-appeared in his buildings of 1930s. The study of their classical period architecture helps us deepen and broaden our understanding of modern architecture in general, beyond just the two architects' or the Northern European scopes. |