The stunning brick and ceramic plaza, which is set in large park grounds and features a moat, bridges and tiled alcoves, has had a starring role in major films such as Lawrence of Arabia, the Star Wars trilogy and most recently The Dictator.

BBC: Seville's threatened architectural heritage

These walls were a testing ground where Aalto experimented with different textures, materials and designs, playing with brick, stone and ceramic swatches and setting them against various finishes and ornamental plants.

BBC: An Alvar Aalto tour of Finland

Full-scale walls have been built of the shaped brick and deep blue or white ceramic tile that he wrapped effortlessly around columns and curved surfaces.

WSJ: Finnish Master Alvar Aalto | By Ada Louise Huxtable