Paimio sanatorium a triumph of modern architecture. Presentation of aaltos turun sanomat building 19281930 in a show at the new york museum of modern art entitled modern architecture international exhibition. On our tour youll get to see this wonderful architecture from inside and also furniture and lamps that were designed for this building. Apr 29, 2016 not long ago, alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium 192933 in finlandone of the esteemed architects earliest projects in a modern stylefaced an uncertain future. Paimio sanatorium deserves a good, understanding owner. The paimio chair took its name from the tuberculosis sanatorium aalto built at paimio,near turku, between 1929 and 1933. Architecture and technology in paimio sanatorium preprints. The idea of the primary stage in alvar aaltos drawings. His fiftyyear career included work in the fields of furniture, textiles, painting, sculpting, landscape, urban planning, glassware, and jewelry. Paimio sanatorium alvar aalto foundation alvar aalto. Immediately on its completion, the paimio sanatorium was heralded as an international success, and established. In the case of alvar aalto s paimio sanatorium, the transition period especially concerned the operations of the building, transforming from a sanatorium into a hospital of wider scope. Buildings designed by alvar aalto 18981976, the preeminent finnish master of architecture, are deeply rooted in the culture and the landscape of finland. This armchair is named after the paimio tuberculosis sanatorium in southwest finland.
Discontinuous glazing on all four sides at entrance level. This empirical case study looked at the iconic piece of architecture from a new angle by implementing the actornetwork theory ant. Now this iconic modernist structure in southwest finland is for sale. Alvar aalto at the paimio sanatorium construction site aam 106228. This collaboration reflects the joint endeavour between sociopolitics, medical expertise, and architecture that led to the realization of paimio. Saving alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium the getty iris. Alvar aalto was a finnish architect, designer, sculptor and painter. Esteemed architects are invited to participate in a competition for drawing up the designs for said sanatorium with 184 sick beds. May 07, 2020 in the 1920s alvar aalto and erik bryggman began experimenting with regional variations on the international style.
Products in this space armchair 41 paimio alvar aalto. His work includes architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware, as well as sculptures and paintings, though he never regarded himself as an artist, seeing painting and sculpture as branches of the tree whose trunk is architecture. Architects aino and alvar aalto, then a young couple, had developed very rapidly in their ideas about architecture, and it is difficult to imagine that the rather modest alajarvi municipal hospital completed in 1928 was designed by the same practice as the winning entry for paimio sanatorium in the following year. Among the most striking examples of aaltos work are the paimio sanatorium, the library at viipuri, and finlandia hall, a concert and congress hall in helsinki. The paimio sanatorium 19281933 has been canonized as an internationally recognized masterpiece of modern architecture, and it is often considered to be the breakthrough of alvar aalto. The paimio sanatorium is one of the most important examples of the modern architectural movement. The functionalist awakening of alvar aalto in the kinkomaa. Aaltos paimio sanatorium and the birth of the modern. The chair was shown to the public for the first time at an exhibition of standard products held in conjunction with the nordic building forum in. The paimio sanatorium, patients wing, exterior view from the southeast.
The shapes and designs that surround us are the music accompanying this tragedy and this comedy, said alvar aalto, whose approach to design and production was defined by both his exacting attention to detail and, conversely, a lightness. Despite being one of the seminal works of modern scandinavian architecture, alvar aaltos viipuri library languished in relative obscurity for. Since wood changes over time, the armrests are formed from a single piece that is then split in half, ensuring that as paimio ages, it remains perfectly balanced. There alvar aalto designed the paimio sanatorium, a building that elevated him to the status of master of heroic functionalism. As you work your way in, observe how the furniture and equipment are very simple and functional.
In 1969 the alvar aalto museum, first founded in 1966, started its actual operations in. The owners didnt have a clear use for the building, conceived as a medical instrument to treat tuberculosis, and considered selling it. The focus was on how the architecture of the sanatorium came to be. Alvar aalto biography infos for sellers and buyers. Alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium aalto university shop. Paimio sanatorium 192833 rakennustieto publishing, december 2014 includes a history of tuberculosis sanatoria in finland and elsewhere, background on the building, selected sketches and working drawings, recent views, archival photographs aalto on the construction site in plusfours, and a useful description. In 1960, the building was converted into a general hospital. He soon moved forward in his pursuit of artistic harmony through organic integration of people and buildings with the environment. The paimio sanatorium was among the first ten buildings to. He is considered as one of the great leaders of planning, as well as a key advocate of midcentury modernism. In autumn 1928 the committee in charge of building paimio sanatorium the tuberculosis sanatorium of southwest finland, issued the following announcement. For husbandandwife designers alvar and aino aalto, the building had a singular goal.
It was perhaps two years later in 1929, after winning a competition to design the paimio tuberculosis sanatorium, that aalto s signature design ethos came into play. Completed in 1932, alvar aalto s paimio tuberculosis sanatorium s programme was revolutionary tuberculosis may have blighted mankind since at least as far back as antiquity, but when the ar devoted its september 1933 issue to a survey of recent tuberculosis sanatoriums, it turned its attention to a building type with a far shorter history. Alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium discusses the relationship between. Pdf alvar aalto created innovative architecture in his breakthrough work, paimio sanatorium, located in southwestern finland and designed between 1928. Paimio sanatorium, an early major work by alvar aalto, is the subject of an exhibition on show in the gallery at the alvar aalto museum from 12 february to 10 april 2016. During the tour, we will visit the paimio sanatorium, paimio electrical museum and the miila handicraft museum. The building completed in 1933 as paimio sanatorium was of key importance to the international career of architects alvar aalto and aino marsio aalto. Completed in 1932, and built in a style at a crossroads between functionalism and modernism, the paimio sanatorium a long, curving building is thought by many to be one. The doctoral dissertation of marianna heikinheimo, master of science in architecture, master of fine arts, in the field of architectural history architecture and technology. Notice how the exterior of the building is surrounded by natural forestation. Together with vyborg viipuri library, completed two years later, it gave the aaltos an international profile.
Paimio sanatorium conservation management plan 2016 by alvar. Designed by alvar and aino aalto in 1929, the sanatorium of paimio, finland, is widely regarded as the first example of modern architecture applied to healthcare introduction sanatorium is a latin word commonly used to identify healthcare centers for the treatment of tuberculosis, an infectious. Alvar aalto and the problem of architectural research. But alvar aalto s greatest achievement was to incorporate a distinctly human dimension into his landmark project, bringing his own unique take on the architectural style of the time. Thus materialised a number of furniture designs, which became key products sold by the company artek, founded in 1935. Alvar aalto created innovative architecture in his breakthrough work, paimio sanatorium, located in southwestern finland and designed between 1928 and 1933. The building was completed in 1933, and soon after received critical acclaim both in finland and abroad. It was the white, cleanlined paimio sanatorium, built in 193033, that not only brought aalto international recognition, but also first put finland on the international map of modern. Paimio sanatorium is a former tuberculosis sanatorium in paimio, southwest finland, designed by finnish architect alvar aalto. The social stakeholders of the sanatorium building project 140. Alvar aalto paimio sanatorium design museum denmark. Arts free fulltext paimio sanatorium under construction.
Alvar aalto created innovative architecture in his. Paimio sanatorium the paimio sanatorium 19281933 has. Alvar aallon suunnittelemaa paimion parantolaa 19281933 pidetaan hanen kansainvalisena lapimurtotyonaan. Together with vyborg library, completed two years later, it gave the aaltos an international profile. Completed in 1932, alvar aaltos paimio tuberculosis sanatoriums programme was revolutionary tuberculosis may have blighted mankind since at least as far back as antiquity, but when the ar devoted its september 1933 issue to a survey of recent tuberculosis sanatoriums, it turned its attention to a building type with a far shorter history. It offers our time, too, inspiration for the sustainable use of buildings, for alleviating climate change and developing healthy building practices. Alvar aalto, whose full name was hugo alvar hendrik aalto, was not only the most important finnish architect of the 20th century but also a leading modern furniture designer. The project has been canonized as an internationally recognized masterpiece of modern architecture, and it is often considered to be the breakthrough of alvar aalto. An architectural competition for the design of the sanatorium was held in 19281929, which was won by architect alvar aalto.
Alvar aalto created innovative architecture in his breakthrough work, paimio sanatorium, located in southwestern finland and designed between 1928 and 1933 figures1and2. Alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium hospital in finland. Architect alvar aalto s 1933 paimio sanatorium in finland is a pristine modernist landmark set amid dense woodlands. Designmuseum danmark will show a popup exhibition focusing on aaltos outstanding work with shapes, colors and function.
Paimio hospital formerly paimio sanatorium is situated in the town of paimio, in the province of western finland varsinaissuomi in southwest finland. Paimio sanatorium, paimio finland 1933 paimio sanatorium, finland aalto paid great attention to all details of the design and functionality of the building. Designed by alvar aalto in 1932, armchair 41 was created for the interior of a tuberculosis sanatorium in the finnish city of paimio and is considered one of aaltos. It belongs to aalto s early works and is certainly the building that helped alvar aalto to gain international recognition. However it was the design of the chair rather than its functionality that helped propel him to prominence throughout europe and which made it a modern finnish staple. Architects aino and alvar aalto, then a young couple, had developed very rapidly in their ideas about architecture, and it is difficult to imagine that the rather. Alvar aalto through the camera lens monfri 920 and sat 915. It wasnt just the tuberculosis treatments that were revolutionary at paimio sanatorium its swooping architecture, designed by alvar aalto, won plaudits too. Nov 24, 2016 completed in 1932, alvar aaltos paimio tuberculosis sanatoriums programme was revolutionary, and continues to radiate a profound sense of human empathy.
It was during the design of the sanatorium that aaltos career came into fruition. Aalto received the design commission having won the architectural competition for the project held in 1929. Aalto s aim with the design of paimio sanatorium, the most challenging assignment of his career so far, was to apply the new approach to architecture. Paimio sanatorium also became an experimental project for wood and plywood furniture, where aalto, together with the carpenter otto korhonen, developed new kinds of manufacturing methods. His chair paimio 1931, with bentwood elements and his curvilinear vase savoy 1936 have become major design icons that have laid the cornerstone for organic design. See all 4 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Alvar aalto s career his perspectives as seen in his writings and in his architecture progressed from being initially influenced by classicism which he applied in a playful manner aligned with nordic romanticism, on to modernist functionalism. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most. Hugo alvar henrik aalto was born 3 february 1898 in kuortane, south ostrobothnia. It has taken long time but finally this summer i was able to travel to paimio and to see this masterpiece of architecture. The building completed in 1933 as paimio sanatorium was of key importance to the international career of architects alvar and aino aalto. Nov 30, 2014 his buildings such as the paimio sanatorium 1933, the legendary villa mairea 1939 and the church of the three crosses in vuoksenniska 1958, embody a masterful interplay of organic volumes, forms and materials.
The chair was designed by alvar aalto at the same time as the sanatorium and it was chosen for seating in various places including the sanatorium common room. Alvar aalto created innovative architecture in his breakthrough work, paimio. The worldrenowned architect and designer alvar aaltos 18981976 paimio sanatorium from 1933 is a modernist masterpiece. Pdf paimio sanatorium under construction researchgate. Alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium in finland architectural digest. Leiva ahst 6620 alvar aalto intuitive evolution hugo alvar henrik aalto 3 february 1898 11 may 1976 was born in the small town of kuortane, finland. In 1929 the aaltos won the architectural competition of paimio sanatorium. Finnish architecture was no longer merely the receiver of influences from outside. This year, the ateneum art museum in helsinki is hosting a new aalto retrospective on view through september 24 that further expands our understanding of the architects many muses. Paimio sanatorium was finished in 1933 and it functioned as tuberculosis sanatorium for decades.
Combining a traditional outline with a light, organic form, this revolutionary interpretation of the club chair set new standards in. Alvar aaltos paimio sanatorium in finland architectural. Heikinheimo, marianna paimio sanatorium under construction. Aalto signs a licensing agreement with wohnbedarf ag for the production and sale of his furniture in switzerland. May 31, 20 architect alvar aaltos 1933 paimio sanatorium in finland is a pristine modernist landmark set amid dense woodlands. The armchair is of a simple, highly effective construction, because the rolledup ends of the seat and back also function as springs affording the sitter a degree of comfort hitherto unknown. Paimio sanatorium project gutenberg selfpublishing. His fellow siegfried giedion canonized the sizeable institutional building by evaluating it. Paimio sanatorium alvar aalto foundation alvar aalto saatio. Alvar aaltos career his perspectives as seen in his writings and in his architecture progressed from being initially influenced by classicism which he applied in a playful manner aligned with nordic romanticism, on to modernist functionalism. The paimio appeal alvar aalto foundation alvar aalto. Completed in 1933, the paimio sanatorium is a former tuberculosis sanatorium designed by architect alvar aalto. Healthcare and design lessons from finlands paimio sanatorium. Jun 17, 2015 life journeyborn hugo alvar henrik aalto 3 february 1898 kuortane, finland died 1may 1976 aged 781 helsinki, finland nationality finnish awards riba gold medal aia gold medal buildings paimio sanatorium saynatsalo town hall viipuri library villa mairea baker house finlandia hall projects helsinki city centre design savoy vase paimio chair 3.
Tuberculosis sanatorium in paimio 192833 today i would like to present a building that is very well known among aalto fans. This video takes you through paimio sanatorium in a very detailed manner. Designed by alvar aalto in 1932, armchair 41 was created for the interior of a tuberculosis sanatorium in the finnish city of paimio and is considered one of aalto s masterpieces. The editorship of the book was shared by the secretary of the building committee, representing the finnish state, the founder of the sanatorium. Building committee accounting, receipts 1421930, 1221931 and 2751931. With comfort in mind, he created the paimio chair for the sanatorium patients. Paimio sanatorium was finished at 1933 and it functioned as tuberculosis sanatorium for decades.