Principles and Elements

Architect Alvar Aalto showcases the principles and elements of design in Paimio Sanitorium in apparent ways. Immediately one notices the use of EMPHASIS within the exterior of the building in the windows present. These windows are evenly spaced both vertically and horizontally, also creating vertical and horizontal LINES. The exterior is CONTRASTED by two vibrant COLORS: orange and green. This provides a CONTRAST to the rest of the exterior by being placed near the muted neutral tone of the rest of the building. The various windows within this structure provide the interior with natural LIGHTING enhancing users’ moods and overall performance.

Connections

Paimio Sanatorium was built to function as a hospital; however, its meaning goes way beyond a hospital today. The idea that patients healed through their connections with the calm environment influenced the design and function of this hospital. Married couple Alvar and Aino Aalto designed the interior around the idea of connecting the interior to the exterior. They did just that by adding windows throughout almost all spaces within the hospital allowing patients to connect to nature while being inside. This also gave those patients who were outside of the hospital and on the balcony the ability to see inside the hospital giving them a sense of safety when encountering an environment that can be frightening and overwhelming at times.

Materials

The structure is reinforced by concrete columns that strengthen the structure as a whole. The material concrete is also used on the inside of the shell leaving a barrier in between the exterior portion and interior portion for easy access when plumbing repairs are needed. The intention behind this was so maintenance would not have to disturb patients when repairs were needed, instead, they could access these problems from outside of patient rooms. The windows throughout the structure were framed with steel providing ventilation. The idea of materials is something that designers thought about very carefully even when designing the furniture within the building. For instance, when designing the Paimio Chair, the material bent laminated wood was used because it was easy to clean and disinfect while also being easy to move from space to space due to its lightweight.

Light and Color

Designers Alvar and Aino Aalto were a married couple, and they were the ones who designed this hospital. When this hospital was built doctors believed that the environment was what healed their patients. Keeping this in mind these married designers strived to implement a color scheme that would create an atmosphere that calmed, relaxed, and comforted the patients and their souls. They used a very bright color palette including vibrant yellow floors, green ceilings, and red pipes. Each color was used with careful consideration. They used green ceilings to create calming feelings, red pipes to ensure patients knew the pipes were hot, and yellow floors to create happiness. Color was not the only intentional element that was used within the design to create a good healing environment. The amount of natural light let in from the many windows was also intentional, with the idea that sunlight and clean air cured patients. Designers added many windows throughout the hospital to allow as much natural light as possible in hopes of enhancing patients’ performance, and focus, and creating a comforting environment.

Experience

The experiences that patients had within the Paimio Sanitorium were different than most other hospitals. Paimio Sanitorium was designed around the idea of healing through the environment. With this being said, patients were required to go outside on the balcony of the hospital and relax. The balcony allowed the patients to take in the natural environment, sunlight, and fresh air while still being in contact with the safety of the hospital. The natural light within the hospital as well as the vibrant colors throughout help create a happy, calming, and welcoming place for patients to heal. Impacting the overall user experience provides a good environment for not only the body to heal but also the soul and mind.

Theories

When couple Alvar and Aino Aalto were designing Paimio Sanitorium, they centered their design process around the needs of the intended users. This design process created a human-centered design that was specific for those who battled tuberculosis. Aalto’s idea was to create a building that functioned as a medical instrument. Leaving him to find solutions when designing this hospital to create correct heating, ventilation, and daylight for the needs of these tuberculosis patients. We can also think about the use of color and how that was specific to these patients as well, creating a calming and welcoming space for healing. Ultimately, the consideration of every small detail of this design and the impact it would have on users created a design that was human-centered for tuberculosis patients.

Technology

During this human-centered design process, designers worked vigorously to use available technology to design products that would provide patients with the best experience possible. When designing the wash basins that were in each patient room Aalto produced an angled basin designed to minimize the sound of splashing water in hopes of creating less noise for users and nearby patients. Aalto also took science into account when thinking about the technology needed to create the cross-ventilation and heliotherapy that was needed for these tuberculosis patients. Designers ultimately used all of the technology available to them to think outside of the box in ways that designers had yet to do. The technology and science behind this process were a vital part of creating a hospital to cure these tuberculosis patients.

Finishes

The interior is made mostly of concrete, however, designers decided to apply white paint to the concrete on the interior to offset the other bright and vibrant colors. The stairs and hallways throughout this hospital had yellow floors that were rubber coated, encouraging patients to walk around throughout the day without fear of falling. In addition, the flooring was still very shiny compared to the walls, allowing them to reflect the natural light onto the interior surfaces.

Furnishings

A lot of the furnishing within this hospital was designed for this specific structure. For instance, the Paimio Chair was named after the Paimio Sanatorium seeing as it was designed during the time of construction of the hospital. This chair was used for seating within many of the spaces within the hospital including common spaces. Comfort was something that designers kept in mind when designing the furnishings for this hospital, as well as the functionality and needs of patients. Each room housed two patients including two beds and two wash basins. Designers wanted this hospital to not only be furnished with functional furnishing but also furnishings that made this hospital feel comforting for patients and visitors hoping to create a calming healing environment.

Telling Stories

Paimio Sanatorium was surrounded by a forest, designers placed this design intending to provide tuberculosis patients with a chance to heal. When designers consulted with the doctors on what the needs for this hospital were, it was not just on medical equipment and accessibility. These were a factor however, the largest need was the idea of comfort, peace, natural lighting, and reconnecting with the natural environment. To achieve a design that supported all of these needs and wants, designers worked vigorously on every detail of the structure, from the sinks to the internal structure. In hopes of giving these tuberculosis patients the best chance of healing internally and externally. The Paimio Sanatorium was designed with a purpose much larger than any other hospital.

Links for Further Information

Alvar Aalto and the colors of the Paimio Sanatorium: The Paimio Sanatorium and Alvar Aalto | Design Stories (finnishdesignshop.com)

Links to an external site.Paimio Sanatorium: Artek – Paimio Sanatorium

Paimio Sanatorium: paimiosanatorium.fi

The Enduring Legacy of Paimio: The Enduring Legacy of Paimio | Architect Magazine

Bibliography

Lloyd, Joe. “Architecture Icon: The Paimio Sanatorium and Its Humanistic Approach to Modernism.” Icon, 21 Sept. 2023. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.

Lupton, Ellen. “Paimio Sanatorium, 1929-33.” Cooper Hewitt, 10 Dec. 2021. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.

“Paimio Sanatorium – Alvar Aalto Foundation: Alvar Aalto -Säätiö En.” Edited by Alvar Aalto Foundation, Alvar Aalto Foundation | Alvar Aalto -Säätiö EN, 10 Jan. 2022. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.

Quito, Anne. “Healthcare Would Be Better If We Learned from This Old Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Finland.” Quartz, 4 Jan. 2020. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.

Team, ArchEyes. “Alvar Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium / Hospital in Finland.” ArchEyes, 8 Aug. 2023. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.

Woodman, Ellis. “Revisit: ‘Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium Continues to Radiate a Profound Sense of Human Empathy.’” The Architectural Review, 17 Nov. 2016. Accessed 30 Jan. 2024.