Snohetta Paimio Sanatorium masterplan has been unveiled to give the 1933 landmark by Aino and Alvar Aalto a new life centered on wellness, hospitality, culture, and international dialogue. Developed with the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation, the proposal secures the future of one of modern architecture’s most influential works while respecting the values that shaped its original design. The Norwegian practice’s approach focuses on calibrated interventions that protect architectural heritage and the building’s historic relationship with nature. The vision extends the Aaltos’ belief that architecture should ultimately serve humans, positioning the former tuberculosis sanatorium as a place for reflection, well-being, and cultural exchange.
Revisiting an Architectural Masterpiece
Designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto and completed in 1933, Paimio Sanatorium is regarded as a foundational work of modern architecture. Created when no effective cure for tuberculosis existed, the building itself formed part of the treatment process. Every aspect, from room layouts and circulation routes to access to sunlight and fresh air, was considered to support patient recovery. The surrounding forest landscape, open-air balconies, and orientation toward natural light were integral to the healing environment. Initially a tuberculosis sanatorium, the building later functioned as a general hospital until the mid-2010s. Alongside the Vyborg Library, Paimio helped establish Finnish architecture internationally and remains a key example of human-centered modernism.
Snohetta Paimio Sanatorium masterplan builds upon the original philosophy of care embedded within the architecture. The program combines hospitality, wellness facilities, cultural spaces, and venues for international gatherings to create an active destination. The aim is to host contemporary discussions around health, design, sustainability, and society while ensuring the site remains relevant to future generations. According to Snøhetta founding partner Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, the design approach is grounded in extensive research and guided by a commitment to preserving the integrity of the original building while allowing it to evolve for future use. The strategy introduces contemporary functions without competing with the historic fabric.
One significant intervention is planned within the former surgery wing. The space is proposed to be converted into a flexible auditorium accommodating approximately 200 people. A new entrance will provide direct access to the venue, allowing conferences, lectures, cultural events, and public programs to operate independently from daily hospitality functions. Internally, the auditorium is envisioned as a double-height space organized across two levels. The proposed interior incorporates birch slatted walls that reference the Aaltos’ material language while integrating acoustic treatments and contemporary technical infrastructure. This demonstrates Snohetta’s broader strategy of adding distinct yet complementary layers.
Restoring Landscape Connections
A central aspect of the Snohetta Paimio Sanatorium masterplan is restoring the relationship between architecture and landscape. One strategy involves creating a new entrance along the rear façade while reconfiguring surrounding outdoor areas. Existing asphalted surfaces are proposed for replacement with slate paving and new planting, softening the threshold between the building and the forest. The intervention reflects a defining principle of the original sanatorium: the therapeutic role of nature. By strengthening visual and physical connections to the surrounding woodland, the proposal reinforces the environmental qualities that have always distinguished the site. The iconic sun balconies would also be reopened by removing later glass enclosures.
The former patient wing is envisioned as the hospitality component. Existing rooms would be adapted into hotel accommodations through modest and reversible interventions that retain original proportions designed around patient comfort. Accommodation options would range from compact rooms with shared facilities to larger suites with integrated amenities. New bathroom units are proposed as freestanding insertions finished in lacquered birch veneer. This approach creates a clear distinction between original fabric and contemporary additions, allowing visitors to understand both the historic architecture and its adaptation. The design continues the Aaltos’ emphasis on thoughtful, human-centered interiors while meeting contemporary hospitality requirements. A new spa on a lower level with direct forest access is also proposed.
Balancing conservation and adaptation defines the proposal’s restrained approach. The Snohetta Paimio Sanatorium masterplan focuses on selective interventions capable of generating substantial functional change. This reflects ongoing debate on how iconic buildings can remain active without compromising architectural significance. Mirkku Kullberg, Chair of the Board of the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation, described the proposal as internationally relevant and multidisciplinary, noting that it successfully balances conservation with restorative architectural thinking while opening opportunities for future-oriented programs and collaborations. The revitalization began in 2020 with the Foundation’s establishment. The first phase was developed with Helsinki-based ALA Architects and Mustonen Architects. Paimio Sanatorium is among the Aalto sites proposed for UNESCO’s World Heritage List, with a decision expected in July 2026. The vision shows how modernism’s influential buildings can evolve while staying faithful to human well-being.
Image Courtesy: Proloog
