Erik Bryggman
Encyclopedia
Erik Bryggman was a Finnish
architect
. He studied architecture at Helsinki University of Technology
, completing his studies in 1916. In 1920 he travelled to Italy, where he became inspired more by the local vernacular architecture than the classical
or Baroque
works. He worked in Helsinki
for architects Sigurd Frosterus, Armas Lindgren
and Valter Jung before starting his own office in Turku in 1923.
style. In 1927 he started to collaborate with architect Alvar Aalto
, and together they became pioneers in Finland in modernist architecture. Their best-known joint project is the design for the Turku Fair of 1929. It is often said to have anticipated the pure modernism of the Stockholm Exhibition
of 1930; but in fact, the Turku Fair was on a far smaller scale than the one in Stockholm
- the main architects for which were Gunnar Asplund
and Sigurd Lewerentz
- and Aalto and Bryggman visited nearby Stockholm, Sweden, during the planning and building stages and took inspiration from it. With their celebration of structure, as well as typography and "street furniture", the influence of Russian Constructivist architecture
on both the Stockholm and Turku fairs has also been noted by historians. When Aalto moved to Helsinki
in 1935, Bryggman continued to practice on his own, though never achieving the fame of Aalto. His two most famous individual works are the extension to the library of Åbo Akademi University, Turku (1935), designed in a more strict Functionalism
style, and the Resurrection Chapel (1941), Turku, which represents a mature synthesis of Bryggman's architecture, moving towards organic forms, and creating a dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The Resurrection Chapel is one of the best known church buildings in Finland located in the Turku cemetery
. Bryggman was also responsible for the restoration of the medieval Turku Cathedral.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He studied architecture at Helsinki University of Technology
Helsinki University of Technology
Aalto University School of Science and Technology , was the temporary name for Helsinki University of Technology during the process of forming the Aalto University...
, completing his studies in 1916. In 1920 he travelled to Italy, where he became inspired more by the local vernacular architecture than the classical
Classical architecture
Classical architecture is a mode of architecture employing vocabulary derived in part from the Greek and Roman architecture of classical antiquity, enriched by classicizing architectural practice in Europe since the Renaissance...
or Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
works. He worked in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
for architects Sigurd Frosterus, Armas Lindgren
Armas Lindgren
Armas Eliel Lindgren was Finnish architect, professor and painter.- Biography :Armas Lindgren was born in Hämeenlinna on November 28, 1874. He studied architecture in the Polytechnic Institute of Helsinki, from where he graduated in 1897. While being a student he collaborated with Josef Stenbäck...
and Valter Jung before starting his own office in Turku in 1923.
Career
Bryggman came to prominence in Finland in the early 1920s with his houses designed in the Nordic ClassicismNordic Classicism
Nordic Classicism was a style of architecture that briefly blossomed in the Nordic countries between 1910 and 1930....
style. In 1927 he started to collaborate with architect Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware...
, and together they became pioneers in Finland in modernist architecture. Their best-known joint project is the design for the Turku Fair of 1929. It is often said to have anticipated the pure modernism of the Stockholm Exhibition
Stockholm International Exhibition (1930)
The Stockholm Exhibition was an exhibition held in 1930 in Stockholm, Sweden, that had a great impact on the architectural styles known as Functionalism and International Style....
of 1930; but in fact, the Turku Fair was on a far smaller scale than the one in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
- the main architects for which were Gunnar Asplund
Gunnar Asplund
Erik Gunnar Asplund was a Swedish architect, mostly known as a key representative of Nordic Classicism of the 1920s, and during the last decade of his life as a major proponent of the modernist style which made its breakthrough in Sweden at the Stockholm International Exhibition...
and Sigurd Lewerentz
Sigurd Lewerentz
Sigurd Lewerentz . He was an architect, but initially trained as a mechanical engineer at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg . Later he took up an architectural apprenticeship in Germany...
- and Aalto and Bryggman visited nearby Stockholm, Sweden, during the planning and building stages and took inspiration from it. With their celebration of structure, as well as typography and "street furniture", the influence of Russian Constructivist architecture
Constructivist architecture
Constructivist architecture was a form of modern architecture that flourished in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and early 1930s. It combined advanced technology and engineering with an avowedly Communist social purpose. Although it was divided into several competing factions, the movement produced...
on both the Stockholm and Turku fairs has also been noted by historians. When Aalto moved to Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
in 1935, Bryggman continued to practice on his own, though never achieving the fame of Aalto. His two most famous individual works are the extension to the library of Åbo Akademi University, Turku (1935), designed in a more strict Functionalism
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
style, and the Resurrection Chapel (1941), Turku, which represents a mature synthesis of Bryggman's architecture, moving towards organic forms, and creating a dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The Resurrection Chapel is one of the best known church buildings in Finland located in the Turku cemetery
Turku cemetery
Turku Cemetery is a cemetery inaugurated in 1807 and located on the south-eastern outskirts of the city of Turku.The drawings of the cemetery has been prepared by the architect Charles Bassi. In the cemetery there are two chapels complexes. The Resurrection Chapel or...
. Bryggman was also responsible for the restoration of the medieval Turku Cathedral.