Topic outline

  • Welcome to the course!

    Assignment will be given on Friday 8th September at 9.15 in J302

    Studio sessions are on Fridays between 8.15-12 from 8th September to 8th December

    Teachers:

    Senior University Lecturer  Özlem Özer-Kemppainen and Architect Niina Svartström 

    The studio of History of Architecture and conservation will study the Paimio Sanatorium complex which was designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto and was built in 1930-1933. It is situated in the town of Paimio in southwest Finland. An architectural competition for its design was held in 1928-1929, which was won by architect Alvar Aalto. This prize-winning proposal was among the first in Finland to employ the prin­ciples of Functionalism and it has a significant place within the career development of Aaltos.

    The course will concentrate on defining the values of the site, recognizing the aspects which convey these values on site, and thus delineate the limits for acceptable change. The process of investigating the past phases of the main building of Paimio Sanatorium will support the process of projecting future options for restoration and re-use.

    The aim of the course is to introduce the scientific and practical basics of architectural conservation and to enable the students to combine the value assessment into a comprehensive architectural design work in restoration projects.

    Studio assignment will be done two stages.

    The first part of the task is done as group work. The groups will study the building and its history through literature, original drawings, alteration plans and will do the documentation of the present situation on site. This will help recognize values and define limits for acceptable change. These efforts will be used in projecting the future options for restoration and re-use of a chosen detail, space or series of spaces within the main building entity.

    The results of the group work will be presented to the other participants on October 13th.

    In the second part of the task based on the value assessment of the building each student will suggest a new use to the building and do the restoration plan of a particular wing or part of the building.

    Final seminar and presentation of the works will be on 8th December.

    2 field trips to Paimio Sanatorium: 15th September and 27th October