🇫🇮フィンランドvlog｜アアルト建築をめぐる / パイミオのサナトリウム

🇫🇮フィンランドvlog｜アアルト建築をめぐる / パイミオのサナトリウム

Day 2 Today, I’m visiting a place I’ve always wanted to go. Paimio Sanatorium, a facility designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto. A sanatorium is a “facility for treating tuberculosis patients.” (Now open to the public) From Helsinki, we’re heading to the Paimio forest, a 2.5-hour journey by bus and taxi. He booked a long-distance bus from Kamppi Station for me. I brought the hotel breakfast in a lunch box as a snack. ☺️ We passed by “Hotel Helka,” where I stayed during my first time in Finland. It has lots of Aalto furniture, so it’s one of my favorite places, too. We got off at “Paimio motorway junction,” but we couldn’t find a taxi… I couldn’t get a phone signal, and there was no one at the taxi company on the map, so I started walking feeling a bit helpless. On the way, we found a bus stop and were able to take it to a nearby place called Ruokolinnantie. (What a relief!) I was worried, but we finally made it. 😌 Paimio Sanatorium
This white, orange, and green building is the place we were looking for. This building made the biggest impression on me at the “Aalto Exhibition” I visited in 2021. I want to feel the miracle of being here with my whole body. In the 1930s, tuberculosis was prevalent in Finland, and treatment facilities were needed. At the time, there was no known cure, so the environment of the facility was chosen. Paimio Forest, surrounded by abundant nature to heal the mind and body, was selected. The Aaltos entered this competition when they were 30, the same age as I am now. Entering the facility, we were greeted by vibrant yellow and blue. The lobby, lounge, and dining room… each color was chosen to heal the patients’ minds and bodies. The bright orange and green colors gave me energy just by looking at them. Since we had some time before the tour, we decided to have the lunch buffet. I will never forget this dreamy and adorable cake…! There was only one other participant on the tour besides us, so we could listen to the guide in detail. When designing, Aalto spent time in bed himself to gain insights. He designed the hospital rooms based on the needs and feelings of patients. His perspective was so gentle, delicate, and full of empathy. When I first learned about this facility, it made me think about “what true design is.” (It reminds me of Naoko from “The Wind Rises”…) Everything, including ventilation, lighting, and color scheme, was designed for the patients. When washing hands with water, there is no need to worry about the sound of the running water or splashing, as it might disturb others. The sinks are already designed at a 45-degree angle to prevent this! The personal storage is also designed to be easy to clean. Nature is healing for patients, and the view is also a carefully considered element. Aalto considered wood a more “human” material than metal and developed the “bentwood” technique. The Paimio Chair has a seat angle that allows tuberculosis patients to breathe more easily. They even considered the water pathways used in the facility to ensure that nearby residents wouldn’t worry about infection. When designing, the Aaltos reportedly worked on everything together, discussing every detail. Many hospitals in Japan have a white and sterile image. But here, it’s colorful and full of curves. Even though being here must have been difficult, it gave me a sense of peace. On the way back, we had a taxi called for us and made it safely to the bus stop. The driver was the same person I called in the morning! Waiting with the rest of my breakfast as a snack. 🥐 Kiasma
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
After a short rest during the journey, we went to the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. It’s designed with curves to let in natural light, based on the sun’s trajectory in Helsinki. Such a complex spatial design… I’ve never encountered anything like it! It was a day that made me think about “buildings designed with the user in mind.” I’ve already seen plenty of contemporary art in Denmark, but It made me think about the freedom and joy of being able to express myself in any way. I want to gradually free myself from the fears that have made me timid as I’ve grown older. I bought some postcards. 🙌 For dinner, let’s buy something at the supermarket. Tomorrow is the last day of this trip. I’ll buy some souvenir snacks then. 🎁 For some reason, I feel like Helsinki is my place. Somewhere in the world, there are places like that. Maybe there are still places I haven’t found yet. I want to express my gratitude for being here now. Sushi, salad, miso soup I brought, and blueberry juice. 🫶 The final day of the trip is a shopping vlog 🇫🇮 Until next time!

こんにちは！ayumiです。
今回は、昨年訪れた「二度目のフィンランド旅」をお届けします🇫🇮