Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) and composer Joonas Kokkonen (1921–1996) became friends when they were both members of the Academy of Finland. Aalto drew the first sketches for Villa Kokkonen over a shared lunch, the result being an enchanting amalgam of music and architecture. The Alvar Aalto Foundation has now published a book about the various stages in the history of this unique building. The atmospheric Villa Kokkonen home museum opens to the public in May.

Villa Kokkonen (1967–69) was completed as a home and showcase for the composer’s family. The fan-shaped building is divided into three parts: the bedrooms and kitchen; the dining and living room; and the composer’s own large studio, which dominates the house. Aalto designed the studio around the grand piano – the acoustics and the sound insulation that separates the workspace from the rest of the building naturally played a bigger role here than in other private houses. Kokkonen described the studio’s acoustics as like Finlandia Hall in miniature. The landscape and the surroundings played an important role as the starting point for the design. Coniferous wood was used as a surface material in the interior of this house hidden in a stand of trees, while the large windows in the main rooms integrate the nature outside with the indoor views.

Villa Kokkonen, Järvenpää book tells the story of this fascinating cultural home from design to completion, and on to the various stages that the building went though over the decades. This is the 28th volume in the Architecture by Alvar Aalto series published by the Alvar Aalto Foundation. The text is taken from in-depth articles about Villa Kokkonen written by Mia Hipeli and Joni Rousku, and is enlivened by architectural drawings, new photographs, and older archive images of Villa Kokkonen. The book is on sale in Villa Kokkonen’s museum shop and in the Alvar Aalto Museum’s own home museums.

The unique total work of art composed out of architecture and music, Villa Kokkonen, opens its doors to the public on 3 May. You can explore the building on guided tours during the summer and, at other times, on separately bookable group tours. Read more about visiting the Villa Kokkonen here. In its opening year, the home museum is also hosting a wide range of concerts and other events.

Villa Kokkonen is part of the international Alvar Aalto Route – a cultural-tourism itinerary that passes through Aalto destinations in Europe.

Further information:
Villa Kokkonen
villakokkonen@jarvenpaa.fi
+358 40 315 2123
www.jarvenpaantaidemuseo.fi/en/villa-kokkonen

The Aalto House / Studio Aalto
hello@alvaraalto.fi
+358 40 135 6210
www.alvaraalto.fi

Lisätietoja:
Villa Kokkonen
villakokkonen@jarvenpaa.fi
puh. 040 315 2123
www.jarvenpaantaidemuseo.fi/villa-kokkonen

Alvar Aallon kotitalo / Alvar Aallon ateljee
hello@alvaraalto.fi
puh. 040 135 6210
www.alvaraalto.fi

Photos  © Alvar Aalto Foundation.