Date of Award

Spring 4-2025

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dustin Altschul

Second Advisor

Kimberly Buchholz

Abstract

Alvar Aalto serves as a timeless guide for architectural and design principles. These principles are not of universal rigidness but are flexible based on the givenconditions of site, culture, and people. His traditionalmethods of sketching and drawing create a hand to mind connection to the design process. This process, much like his work, develops a mindful and thoughtful outcome of decisions. With computer technology become more increasingly apart of our lives, it is important that we not forget the human point of view rather than purely a rational mode of thinking. This capstone project address how it is possible to merge the lessons of Alvar Aalto and history into the 21st century. Through primary sources of research of the lectures, essays, and publications of Alvar Aalto we can gain insight of Aalto’s approach directly. Secondary sources of monographs of other authors who explore areas of his work provide detailed analysis from topics of light, material, forms, planning, details, and the place-making of his projects. These topics can then introduce forward thinking topics such topology (place-making and context), typology (planning and forms), tectonics (materials), technics (architectural details), and thermodynamics (light). With these findings the capstone project embodies Alvar Aalto through Hybrid Design Methodology where we integrate these multiple topics of Aalto’s design principles into a designed outcome on a given site. Use of traditional methods of design from sketching and study models combined with CAD and 3D modeling software can create a well-rounded design workflow that bridges history and the present.

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