DESIGNER OF THE MONTH - Carin Bryggman

Photo: Turku Museum Center / Turku Description

Carin Bryggman was born in Vaasa and studied at Helsinki University of Technology. Alvar Aalto strongly influenced Bryggman's career, and he became one of Aalto's most important students. Bryggman's most famous works are the Turku Sanomiet house and the main building of the University of Turku, both of which represent modern functionalism.

Bryggman's architecture was clear and reduced, and he used a lot of concrete and glass as building materials. He also carefully designed the interiors of the buildings to best meet the needs of the users. Bryggman received several architectural awards during his career, and his work is exhibited in several notable museums around the world.

Carin Bryggman worked almost his entire career in Turku and was the city's most sought-after interior architect in the 1950s and 1980s. The longest-standing and dearest design target for him was Turku Castle, whose renovation work he participated in from the 1940s until the 1990s. During his career, he designed several projects for Turku Castle.

Turku Castle was one of the many sites that Bryggman collaborated with his father, the architect Erik Bryggman, to decorate. Another important partner was Aviopuoliso Uolevi Nuotio.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carin Bryggman (April 5, 1920–April 7, 1993), an exhibition presenting her life and design work was organized in Turku Castle. The exhibition was based on the Turku Museum Center's collections: Carin Bryggman's photographs and her interior designs and furniture drawings. At the exhibition, you could get to know Bryggman's versatile production and his unique vision of architecture and interior design.

Chairs and lamps designed by Bryggman in Turku Castle.
Photo: Turku Museum Center/Esko Ahti

Bryggman was one of the few women who could study architecture in Finland in the 1930s. He was also an active social influencer, for example in the establishment of Naisten Bank and as an expert in the UN settlement program. In addition, he served as a member of the Helsinki City Council in 1953-1960. His style included clarity, reduced functionalism and closeness to people, and his influence can still be seen in Finnish architecture.

Carin Bryggman founded her own interior design office in 1949 as one of the first women in Finland. He designed the interior for hundreds of locations. There were both private homes and public spaces, such as shops, banks and restaurants. Bryggman often designed the furniture himself. In his work, he emphasized purposefulness, beauty, durability and quality.

Erik and Carin Bryggman, Photo: Turku museum center / K. Bernhard

Sofa, Carin Bryggman, 60s