3.5.3 FIXED HYGIENE EQUIPMENT OF THE
PATIENT ROOM
Maintaining high standard of hygiene was a key ritual at a tuberculosis sanatorium
and a designer’s interest would particularly focus on furnishings that would allow for
immaculate hygiene. The schematic diagram (Fig.3.5.3b) showed the shape and posi-
tioning of two basins, a spittoon with a drain placed between them and a screen stand-
ing between the washbasin area and the door. The diagram illustrated the placement of
piping in the rising within the wall facing the corridor. The drawing was signed with
the initials “H.H”.^847 Another drawing illustrating the design of the washbasins is a
freehand schematic diagram of two round washbasins. They have been marked with the
taps, the location of the water pipe, the spittoon and the screen wall. The drawing is by
Lars Wiklund.^848 The Building Committee authorised Aalto to negotiate with the Ara-
bia porcelain factory an order of Finnish-made special washbasins for the patient rooms,
provided that these would be less expensive than foreign alternatives and that the State
Medical Board would approve of them.^849 The washbasin standard for the patient room
drawn by Erling Bjertnæs was included in the documentation. The basin had been given
measurements and the water trap was enclosed in the riser.^850 The Building Committee
decided to order the basins from the Finnish china factory, Arabia.^851
Among the drawings created by the architectural office there are two photomontages
illustrating the use of the washbasins, which have been made for presentations. One of
them includes an inscription: “No noises, no water splashes when washing your hands
in running water, because the basin china is at a 45-degree angle”. Neither drawing is
dated or marked with the draughtsman’s initials.^852
The patient room spittoon is presented in two standard drawings. They differ from
each other in the placement of the water trap, which is placed in the riser in one draw-
ing and in the room in the other. Both drawings show a conical glass spittoon with an
inward-curling rim with water running inside the rim fed by a 20-millimetre pipe.^853 A
third drawing shows two variations of a glass spittoon with a circular flush and bottom
valve. Type A has a straight and Type B an angled rotational piece. Type A has been
referred to as the perfect rotational piece. Based on the handwriting, the drawing is
probably by Alvar Aalto.^854 The drawing in question represents yet another attempt to
develop a universal type.
847 Drawing No. 50-365. AAM.
848 Drawing No. 50-205. AAM.
849 Building Committee August 16, 1930, Section 6. PSA.
850 Drawing No. 50-177. AAM.
851 Building Committee November 20, 1931, Section 3. PSA.
852 Drawings Nos. 50-950 and 50-977. AAM.
853 Drawings Nos. 50-152 and 50-203. AAM.
854 The drawing No. 50-192 beared the initials “A.A.” AAM.