Villa Kokkonen

An artist home that sprang to life around the grand piano

Architect Alvar Aalto’s (1898–1976) masterpiece Villa Kokkonen was completed in 1969 to serve as the home and workspace of composer Joonas Kokkonen (1921–1996). The building is located on the western shore of Lake Tuusula, on a beautiful hillside in Vanhankylänniemi. Joonas Kokkonen lived in the house until his death. Since 1998, the building has been owned by the City of Järvenpää.

Villa Kokkonen is one of the few private residential buildings designed by Alvar Aalto. The dark façade hides a bright space full of unique details; a wavy shape repeats from the façade’s awning to the wavy wall of the entryway and the house’s fireplaces. The interior decoration consists of both fixed furniture designed for the building and Artek’s furniture.

Villa Kokkonen during autumn. Photo: Filippo Zambon / Järvenpää Art Museum

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