When photographer Benjamin Gilbert visited Alvar Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium in Finland, he was captivated by the architect and designer’s attention to detail. He captures the seemingly small features that help to make the entire building one healing element for the tuberculosis patients it was designed for.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
In pictures
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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The colours used throughout the sanatorium are highly significant. Alvar Aalto believed that in a functional building, the colour always follows the function of the room. Patient rooms and lounges have soothing colours, and corridors and staircases are more brightly coloured.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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It is thought that Aalto regretted his choice of the shade of yellow for the sanatorium’s communal areas, but the order for the flooring had already been placed.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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Aalto used this same handrail in many buildings, including the Turun Sanomat newspaper building in Turku, which was built just before the Paimio Sanatorium. The grey paint behind railing was an effort to protect the lighter grey wall from showing the dirt.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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The mosaic in the concrete staircase floor was a popular floor material in public buildings in the 1930s. It was usually grey concrete with pieces of stone, but in the sanatorium, green paint was added to the mix, making the floor feel warmer and more restful.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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The door handles of the patient rooms along the sanatorium’s long corridors were curved inwards into special rails. This was to prevent the handles catching the coat sleeves of visiting doctors.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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In the patient rooms, any direct wall light would have shone into the eyes of patients lying underneath in bed. Indirect light was softer. The semicircle of white on the ceiling of the patient room was used to reflect and diffuse the wall light.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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Every patient room contained a specially designed spittoon. Patients could empty the sputum, containing the tuberculosis bacteria, with the help of a modern flushing system. This reduced the need for anyone to have to clean the basin by hand.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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As it was very important to maintain hygiene at the sanatorium, direct angles were avoided when designing the building. The walls, railings and stairs are all curved to help with cleaning.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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These clocks appear throughout the sanatorium. Each clock face was painted by hand and has an inner circle that shows the 24-hour clock.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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The dining-room light fittings were designed with a reflective copper-coloured background. This softens the light and gives it a warm tone that is easier on the eye.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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Plants in the sanatorium’s dining room were placed inside specially designed glass cubicles to keep the breathing air sanitary.
The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland, Benjamin Gilbert. Source: Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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The ‘floating library’ hangs from the ceiling, suspended on red beams. It was a novelty for people in the 1930s, so many at the time were worried it might collapse.
About the photographer
Benjamin Gilbert
Ben is a senior photographer for Wellcome. He is happiest when telling stories with his photographs, whether that be the health implications of rural-to-urban migration in India, or the dedication of the workers who power the NHS.