Since its establishment in 2020, the mission of the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation has been to identify a new, sustainable use for Alvar and Aino Aalto’s modernist masterpiece, closely aligned with its original use as a sanatorium.
The long-term vision is to transform Paimio Sanatorium into a world-class wellness hotel by the late 2020s, with key elements focusing on the relationship between Aalto’s architecture and human well-being, high-end services, nature experiences, and offerings that prioritize silence, safety, and privacy.
The foundation has made significant progress in planning this new purpose, with the concept now finalized. Alongside this, the foundation has assessed how necessary modifications would affect the building’s architecture, taking its protected status into account. Detailed investment and business plans for the first phase of construction have also been developed.
The project will move into the implementation planning phase with the support of €800,000 in funding from the Finnish state. This phase will include preparing to apply for a building permit by fall 2025, as well as exploring the architectural, technical, environmental, and functional impacts of the necessary renovations.
A World-Famous Masterpiece
Originally built as a tuberculosis sanatorium, Paimio Sanatorium was designed to be large and sprawling, with 15 buildings on the site. The main building alone covers over 14,000 square meters.
The sanatorium functioned as a hospital until 2015, after which the Hospital District of Southwest Finland donated the buildings to the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation. The foundation’s founders include the Finnish state, the Alvar Aalto Foundation, and the cities of Turku and Paimio.
The state committed €2.5 million in funding for the sanatorium’s first four years of operation. However, rising maintenance costs and the challenges posed by the pandemic required additional funding in 2022. A supplementary €2.8 million grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture has helped cover operational costs, with future development in mind. The sanatorium has been open to the public since the summer of 2021, attracting a record number of domestic and international visitors this past year. Guests have had the opportunity to learn about the sanatorium’s history and current role through guided tours, stay in newly converted rooms, and enjoy the natural surroundings.
“The foundation’s main goal has always been to find a sustainable use for the sanatorium that respects its cultural heritage,” says Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation.
“We need to embrace the idea that business can support the preservation of cultural heritage,” Kullberg adds.
“The best way to preserve this architectural gem for future generations is through its active use.”
“This project is challenging but also an incredible opportunity—both regionally and nationally, as it enhances Finland’s global image. We are committed to turning these challenges into opportunities,” Kullberg concludes.