Address: Alvar Aallon tie 4, 27500 Eura, Finland Open Google map
Entrance fee: 5 €, free entry for children under 7 years
Tours: Tours available for groups.
Themes: Aalto homes, Industrial sites, Terraced houses
Website: The Terraced House in Kauttua, Eura
Opening hours
11:00 to 15:00
11:00 - 17:00
Closed on Midsummer
The Terraced House in Kauttua is one of Alvar Aalto’s most prominent works also internationally. In 1937, Alvar Aalto received a commission from the A. Ahlström company for the town planning and infill building of the Kauttua ironworks area. The assignment also stemmed from Alvar Aalto’s friendship with the company’s CEO Harry Gullichsen and his wife Maire Gullichsen. Ties to the traditional architecture of the area were deliberately cut, and instead Kauttua was envisioned as a stage for both a new communal life concept, and modern architecture. The first house to be built in the area was a “stairless apartment block”, known as the stepped terrace house, completed in 1938.
The stepped terraced house was designed as housing for the company’s senior staff. Originally, there were to be several such houses placed on the slopes in the area. The stepped terraced house is a concrete example of the architect’s desire to place the building in close contact with nature: the elevation of the multi-storey residential house follows the slope of the hill, in such a way that the entrance to each dwelling is at ground level.
The three upper flats are equipped with a terrace that extends over half of the lower flat’s roof; this way no-one can look onto their neighbour’s terrace. The three lower dwellings have a basement cut into the slope, and contain three bedrooms, a kitchen, a housemaid’s room and a large living room looking out onto the terrace. The top block comprises three small apartments, two of which open with windows towards the rear of the building. The terrace rails and pergolas for creeping plants are unstripped saplings.
Architecture, interior design and art come together in the Terraced House, where one of the apartments (number 3) is open to the public. This apartment hosts varying exhibitions, and a sales exhibition of furniture pieces whose display is rearranged occasionally. The apartment is furnished with vintage Artek models and lighting fixtures, and some of the items are on sale.
The stepped terrace house was designed as housing for the A. Ahlström company’s senior staff. Photo: Noora Kiili, Alvar Aalto Foundation
The Terraced House in Kauttua is one of Alvar Aalto’s most prominent works also internationally. Photo: Martti Kapanen, Alvar Aalto Foundation
The Terraced House in Kauttua is one of Alvar Aalto’s most prominent works also internationally. In 1937, Alvar Aalto received a commission from the A. Ahlström company for the town planning and infill building of the Kauttua ironworks area. The assignment also stemmed from Alvar Aalto’s friendship with the company’s CEO Harry Gullichsen and his wife Maire Gullichsen.
Information for visitors
Good to know
Arriving to Eura
Eura is located within Satakunta region, approximately 215 kilometres from Helsinki. Travelling to Eura by public transportation is easiest either with Matkahuolto or Onnibus buses. From the bus station in Eura the distance to the Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works is approximately 4 km. You will find a taxi station right beside the bus station. You can also reach taxi service by calling +358 600 300 33.
Download a PDF-map of kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works from here
Guided tours
Further information
Opening times:
- During Winter (December/January/February) closed
- During Fall/Spring (September/October/November/March/April/May) open on Saturdays at 11:00 – 15:00
- During Summer (June, July, August) open from Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00 – 17:00. Summer season starts on 6th of June. Please note, during Midsummer holiday terraced house is closed!
- Self-guided visit during regular opening hours are 5 € per person. For children under 7 years old no fee.
- Group visits (max 20 person per group) with a pre-booking. Price consists of a guiding fee of 50 € + alv. 24 % + language fee 10 € + entrance fee per person 5 €.
Group visits and inquiries:
- Alasatakunnan oppaat ry, tel. +358 50 377 5245/Kaisa Repo or tel. +358 44 422 4828/Terhi Puustelli. Also via email terassitalo@eura.fi