The Alvar Aalto museum and the Museum of Central Finland are together Aalto2

The name Aalto2 has been selected for the new museum hub currently being built up in the Ruusupuisto area of Jyväskylä, Finland. The name describes two adjacent museum buildings both designed by the architect Alvar Aalto: the Alvar Aalto Museum (1971–1973) and the Museum of Central Finland (1956–1961, 1991). With the buildings to be joined by a new connecting wing, the two separate museums will be housed under one roof.

“The new name is a story of two fabulous Alvar Aalto-designed museums which will make up one interesting whole in both their architecture and their content. Thus, 2023 will see the openings of an attractive museum hub, more than the sum of its parts. With this new name and insignia, we want to send a message about a unique, interesting museum hub for the future, offering visitors the chance for inspiring experiences and learning in a unique environment”, says Heli-Maija Voutilainen, the Director of Museums for the City of Jyväskylä, who was part of the name selection committee.

A descriptive, easy to remember name for the museum hub, easily comprehensible in various languages was sought in the naming process. In the spring of 2021, the public was invited to suggest names for the future museum hub, and 1006 clever proposals were received by the deadline “The name we have now chosen, Aalto2, is a result of both public feedback and the deliberations of the management team”, says Tommi Lindh, Managing Director of the Alvar Aalto Foundation. “Even though none of the names suggested by the public were selected in and of themselves, the number of proposals we received is an indication of the interest of the public and the several different approaches to museum centre”, says Voutilainen.

The classy, minimalist visual style of the new museum hub is the work of Graphic Designer Ilkka Kärkkäinen.

The Aalto2 museum hub will be opened to the public on 27 May 2023.

Read more on Aalto2 home page