The Spirit of Paimio 2024 conference gathered a diverse group of prominent figures from the fields of architecture, design, media, fashion, and academia at the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation to explore the timely theme of Reimagining Communities. The sold-out event treated attendees to a captivating range of perspectives, covering topics such as building communities on the Moon, connecting people through memorials and advocating for societal issues through the power of fashion, among many others. The Paimio Sanatorium Foundation remains committed to securing the future of Alvar and Aino Aalto’s iconic sanatorium as an international center for innovation, education, and wellness.
The Spirit of Paimio conference was extended to a two-day format this year. An international roster of speakers drew over 200 attendees to Paimio, where they gathered to hear leading thinkers and practitioners discuss the theme of Reimagining Communities.
The event commenced with an acclaimed presentation by Ersilia Vaudo, Chief Diversity Officer at the European Space Agency, who spoke about building new communities on the Moon. “Design is now called upon to transform that lonely celestial satellite from a place where survival is possible into a place worth thriving in, reshaping our imagination through form and unleashing the creative potential of alien inspirations,” she stated.
Following Vaudo, speakers such as Spencer Bailey, Co-Founder of The Slowdown and Editor-at-Large at Phaidon, and Bjarke Ingels, founder of architecture firm BIG, offered further insights into the theme. Bailey focused on the design of contemporary memorials, while Ingels presented his latest project, Mindfulness City, which aims to enhance Bhutan’s biodiversity by creating vibrant ecosystems and neighborhoods shaped by the country’s 35 rivers and streams.
Beatriz Colomina, Professor of the History of Architecture, reflected on the Aaltos’ philosophy that architects should design with the most vulnerable person in mind—an approach she argued remains largely neglected today. Ferdinando Verderi, Creative Director and former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia, spoke about leveraging global fashion to elevate discussions around diversity and societal issues.
Fostering a sense of intimacy and in-person connection, the conference’s keynotes will not be streamed. However, the Spirit of Paimio podcast, set to be released later this autumn, will feature interviews with all keynote speakers, offering them an opportunity to further expand on their thoughts on design and community. The new episodes, alongside last year’s conversations, will be available on the Paimio Sanatorium website as well as on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
For the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation, the event marked a significant milestone toward redefining the future of the iconic building, which is set to become a retreat hotel and a hub for innovation, education, and wellness in the coming years.
“It was a joy to witness so many people gathering here to discuss these vital issues for society today. With the world becoming increasingly unstable, we need each other and communities to find solutions. With its emphasis on community and healing, iconic architecture, and convenient location between Helsinki and Turku, the Paimio Sanatorium is an ideal venue for conferences like this,” said Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of the foundation.