My Aalto tour concluded with a visit to the iconic Paimio Sanatorium. Widely considered Aalto’s first masterpiece, the building was well worth every step of my pilgrimage. And boy was it a pilgrimage! I set up camp in Turku, the closest major city, a short 30 minute bus ride to Paimio. Excuse me, a short bus ride to a station 3km outside Paimio. Add that to the 4km (uphill!) between the town center and the Sanatorium, mostly along relatively deserted highways. But the end of this path stood a magnificent building, well worth the journey (and a generous tour guide who took pity on this wary traveler and offered me a ride back to Turku!).
Random roadside en route / 19 July
When it comes to this building, my pictures simply don't do it justice. Perhaps it was the grey day. Or maybe I was distracted trying to soak up the ambiance. Looks like I captured the colors, but not necessarily the character of this stunning place. Regardless, I'll let the images speak for themselves where possible. The curious can find ample information in any modern architecture survey. It's certainly one for the history books.
Paimio Sanatorium / 19 July
Paimio Sanatorium / 19 July
Paimio Sanatorium / 19 July
Love love love the bright floors, intended to enhance the natural sunlight streaming in from the surrounding windows.
Paimio Sanatorium / 19 July
Paimio Sanatorium / 19 July
Paimio Sanatorium / 19 July
Aalto originals! The lamp (above) and chair (below), obviously. But also the shade of green for the ceilings, engineered specifically to sooth patients looking up from their beds or chairs.
The original (as in first!) Paimio chair! / 19 July