Alvar Aalto

Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) won praise for raising the profile of Scandinavian modernism around the world. From the 1920s to 1970s, he designed numerous high-profile buildings and revolutionary pieces of furniture and collectibles, from chairs and tables to glassware and lighting. He was an advocate for the use of wood, which influenced his innovative techniques. Aalto’s iconic pieces include the distinctive Paimio armchair, first developed in 1930, the undulating Savoy vase and the layered Beehive pendant lamp.