en.Wedoany.com Reported - Snøhetta has unveiled the master plan for Finland's Paimio Sanatorium, reimagining the 1933 building designed by Alvar Aalto and Aino Aalto as a "health" destination and diplomatic summit venue that integrates a hotel, wellness spaces, cultural venues, and an international dialogue stage.
Snøhetta collaborated with ALA Architects and Mustonen Architects on the first phase of the master plan. According to the plan released last week, the exterior of the former tuberculosis clinic will remain unchanged, but a new entrance will be added to the rear facade, along with landscape improvements.
Under the new plan, the former surgical wing will be transformed into a flexible auditorium seating 200 people, with a new visitor entrance.
The auditorium will feature birch slat walls, a design that pays homage to Aalto's past work and ensures optimal acoustic performance. The asphalt forecourt will be repaved with stone slabs and replanted. A new spa will be built on the lower level, offering views of the forest.
The former patient wing of the sanatorium will be converted into a hotel, with original wards becoming guest rooms and the famous sun balconies reopening. New bathrooms serving the hotel rooms will be equipped with birch-veneered freestanding furniture.
Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Snøhetta, stated that the project team approached the work with deep respect for the legacy of Aino Aalto and Alvar Aalto—especially the Paimio Sanatorium—aiming to open the site for thoughtful future use. Based on research, each intervention has been carefully considered, allowing the building to evolve while maintaining its integrity.
The future of this legendary campus was once uncertain, with prominent architects such as Juhani Pallasmaa actively advocating for its preservation. Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of the Paimio Foundation, and curator Joseph Grima convened a meeting in 2024 to discuss the center's use beyond healthcare.
Kullberg noted that Snøhetta's master plan represents "a thoughtful balance between preservation and restorative architecture." The Paimio Sanatorium, along with several other Aalto-designed sites in Finland, may be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2026. The construction timeline for the reimagined sanatorium has not yet been announced.
