Baker House (Alvar Aalto)
About This Exhibition
Baker House is the only building in the US designed by Finnish master architect Alvar Aalto. Completed in 1949, the dormitory's sinuous brick facade curves along Memorial Drive, ensuring every room has a river view at a different angle. The building showcases Aalto's organic approach to modernism: custom-made brick surfaces, a dramatic main staircase, and furniture he designed specifically for the building. Architecture students and enthusiasts travel from around the world to study it.
Exhibition Highlights
Visitor's Advisory
- 1.Best viewed from the Charles River path or Memorial Drive
- 2.Interior is residential and not open to visitors
- 3.Combine with a walk along the Charles River
- 4.Architecture fans should also visit MIT Chapel and Stata Center
- 5.The sinuous curve is best appreciated from the east end
Arriving by Rail
Nearby Exhibitions
More Architectures in Cambridge
Walking Tours
Where to Eat Nearby
Mamaleh's
Toscanini's Ice Cream - Kendall
Row 34
Mamaleh's Kibitz Corner
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Exterior viewable anytime; interior not open to public
Admission
Free (exterior only)
Address
362 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139
Best Time to Visit
Afternoon for best lighting on the facade. View from Memorial Drive or the river path.
Accessibility
Exterior viewing from accessible pathways
“A photograph is obligatory. A moment of reflection, optional but recommended.”
Every attraction tells a story. This one is yours to discover.