The Gullichsen family home was the world-famous Villa Mairea (1938–39) in Noormarkku, designed by Alvar Aalto, one of the seminal houses of 20th century modernist architecture. Kristian was seven years old when his family moved into the house in August 1939. The family was close friends of the Aalto family, and Aalto was responsible for designing the company factories and communities, as part of the company ideology of enculturation. Kristian played with the Aalto children and did odd jobs in the Aalto architects' office.Gullichsen, Kristian: "Preface", in Juhani Pallasmaa (ed), Alvar Aalto, Villa Mairea 1938-39. Alvar Aalto Academy, Helsinki, 1998.
