You can tell it's made in Finland because, like Aalto's extravagant wood designs, this building is almost entirely made of wood.
And don't let the name of "Hotel" make you think that it can accommodate more than two families at a time because it doesn't. It's only for a few people at a time.
Besides its deforesting nature, its design is smooth and balanced. There is an interesting opposition between a solid, square volume at either end and a curving, void-like space in the middle. In the solid volume, there is a huge picture window (with plywood walls) that directs one singular view where in the other end of the hotel, there are hundreds of small slit views. The sun trickles in between the many openings within each piece of wood, creating beautiful shadows on the interior. The floor becomes furniture which becomes the walls. It's a magical dance of material and immaterial.
I found a quote from the architect which says: “By bending the block I forced the slats into a new form that contrasts with the original arrangement. That which is solid turns partly transparent, that which is strictly geometrical, organic.”
This quote is also referring to the two very different experiences that the spaces enclose. The curves were created by steam bending, which must have taken an excruciatingly long time. Especially when Auttila says that it was the most delicate or difficult part.
(When you chop down an acre of threes though, don't expect them to bend to your wishes without some work involved.)
No comments:
Post a Comment