Villa Kokkonen
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| Villa Kokkonen | |
|---|---|
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 Interactive map of the Villa Kokkonen area | |
| General information | |
| Type | Residential |
| Architectural style | Modern architecture |
| Location | Tuulimyllyntie 5 04400 Järvenpää, Järvenpää, Finland |
| Coordinates | 60°27′27″N 25°03′25″E / 60.4574517°N 25.0570445°E |
| Current tenants | Artist Home Villa Kokkonen |
| Named for | Joonas Kokkonen |
| Completed | 1969 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Alvar Aalto |
| Website | |
| www | |
Villa Kokkonen is a residential building located in Järvenpää, Finland, notable for having been designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto for the composer Joonas Kokkonen.[1][2]
Villa Kokkonen is one of only a few private residential buildings, and the only artist's home, designed by Aalto.[2][3]
Despite being at the height of his professional reputation in the late 1960s, Aalto did not charge anything for his design.[2] Kokkonen, in turn, dedicated his cello concerto, which he had composed in his newly-completed house, to Aalto, as a token of his gratitude.[2] As a result of the project, and their contemporary memberships of the Academy of Finland, the two became firm friends.[4][5]
Villa Kokkonen forms part of the wider artist community on the shores of Lake Tuusulanjärvi.[3]
Kokkonen moved into the house in 1969, together with his second wife Else-Maj ("Maija") and their two daughters (then aged 11 and 14 respectively).[6] Maija died in 1979, and the following year Kokkonen married Anita Pakomaa, who moved into the house. Kokkonen lived in the house until his death in 1996, Anita Pakomaa moved out, and the City of Järvenpää purchased it from his estate.[2] It is now open to the public as a museum, for guided tours and as a concert and event venue.[2]