Paimio Sanatorium

Alvar Aalto's tuberculosis sanatorium is remotely situated in thick forest about 29km east of Turku. It is the building that first put Finland on the modern architectural map. Aalto's starting point for the design of the sanatorium was to make the building itself a contributor to the healing process. This winning competition design was made in 1929 and the sanatorium was built in 1929-33. The building served exclusively as a tuberculosis sanatorium until the early 1960s, when it was converted into a general hospital. Today the building is part of the University of Turku Central Hospital. The reinforced concrete frame construction is fully exposed and fully exploited aesthetically: taut and muscular yet gracefully modulated. Aalto and his wife Aino designed all of the sanatorium's furniture and interiors. Some of the furniture, most notably the Paimio chair, is still in production by Artek. Paimio sanatorium is nominated to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.