Aalto’s strategy was to introduce products of his own design into serial production
and general markets. Looking after his own interests meant that he would also look after
the interests of his partners. In the competitive tendering for the furnishing contracts
for Paimio Sanatorium, the competitors were not placed on an even playing field. Aalto
made sure, however, that the lowest price was the decisive factor. His task was to persuade
the decision-makers by demonstrating the high quality of the furniture with the models
delivered to the sanatorium and to convince them that the requirements for both the
lowest price and highest quality were met by the companies favoured by Aalto and that
this was also in the best interest of the sanatorium. It is clear that Aalto’s actions would
have raised criticism amongst the Building Board. What is also clear, however, is that they
chose to turn a blind eye, as the Building Board stood to benefit from the lower prices.
The relationship between the architect, developer, the material supplier and provider as
well as his peers was regulated in the ethical guidelines, or Norms of Honour, of the
Finnish Association of Architects, which emphasised the role of the architect as a neutral
mediating party. According to the ethical guidelines, the architect may be reimbursed by
the client only: “Accepting any conceivable compensation in any form from the executor
of work, material supplier or provider is dishonest and dishonourable.”^897 In this light,
Aalto’s actions were testing the boundaries of professional ethics.
PATIENT ROOM FURNISHINGS
FURNITUREBUILT-IN FURNITURELOOSE FURNITUREdesigned by architectLOOSE FURNITUREpurchased standardCHAIR purchased standard MANUFACTURER
wardrobes X Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
table X Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
bedside table
and cupboard XOy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Abbed X Aug. Louhen Rautasänkytehdas
chair X Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Table 3.5.5a Patient room furnishings.897 Suomen Arkkitehtiliitto (Finnish Association of Architects), 1937b, p. 382.