Alvar Aalto - Finland
Alajärvi Town Hall
Alvar Allon Tie 1, Alajärvi
1966 - 1969


  Alajärvi is a small village with about 500 citizens, located in the western part of central Finland. Alvar Aalto got the opportunity to design several buildings in this village. The design for the Alajärvi Town Hall with parish facilities was made in 1966. It was the intention to errect a communal centre around a famous neo-classic church. The construction of the ensemble was realized from 1967 to 1969, as the first stage together with the Health Centre. The inner area of the communal centre is reserved exclusively for pedestrians. All new buildings should be adapted to the environement in order to preserve the rural character of the village. The town hall is clearly identified as the most important building of the centre by its architectonic formulation. The building is rendered and painted white with façade claddings in dark granite emphasizing the assambley hall, which at the same time is the highest section of the building, and dominates its environment.