was the lowest.^977 The competitor, Kone Oy, Finnish elevator company, took exception
to the decision to order the lifts from abroad and appealed to the Building Board: “We
suspect that no other Finnish company – since only two machinery types are applicable
judging by the high model costs – is able to deliver similar large lift machinery at a
price lower than ours.”^978 Kone also emphasised the obligation of the sanatorium project
management to favour local and national suppliers, to no avail.
The architect’s office designed versions of the lift cages, lift doors and one motor
room.^979 In a letter from Aalto’s office to the lift cage manufacturer, it is stated that the
cage walls were to be smooth and no frame and mirror structure was to be used. The
walls were to be clad with a protective nickel panel up to the height of 30 centimetres.
The catering lift was equipped with sliding shelves, with the depth half that of the lift,
so that there was room for one person to stand in the lift.^980 However, the architects
made a new proposal on the combined catering and personnel lift, with an integrated
catering cabinet in a three-person lift. The doors of the cabinet could be opened down-
wards to serve as a worktop, as illustrated by the drawing sent by the architect to the
manufacturer.^981 The letter was probably attached with a drawing showing a lift cage
with a catering cabinet placed at a suitable height.^982 The two lift cages of A lift were
the most impressive. The inner corners were rounded, the sidewalls had mirrors and,
above the mirrors, a backlit translucent glass. The lift floor coverings were made of rub-
ber. The drawing was created by “H.H.”^983 The main lifts were sized to fit a hospital bed.
The lift contract was carried out presumably without major problems, except
towards the end. The electricity contractor had not scaled sufficient risers for the large
motor rooms, which reduced the power of the lifts by 15–17 percent. As a result, Turun
Insinööritoimisto waived all responsibility for any loss of current.^984 In April 1933, the
main lifts in staircase A broke down and could not be used during repair.^985
The low current devices in the sanatorium, including a signalling system, a tele-
phone system, paging system and radio, were covered by a separate acquisition plan.^986
977 The final price came to FIM 441,700. According to the terms of payment, FIM 100,000 would be paid upon signing
the contract, another FIM 100,000 in the following February, if the work was half-way through and the rest upon
the completion and sign-off of the work. Building Committee May 30, 1931, Section 2. PSA.
978 A letter from Kone to the Building Board, June 9, 1931. PSA.
979 Drawing No. 50-337 shows six lifts: two lifts for 15 persons in staircase A, a goods lift, a sputum lift, a catering
and personnel lift for three persons, and a lift for three persons in staircase B. The drawings are made by Erling
Bjertnæs and are dated October 28, 1930. Drawing No. 50-348 was a lift cage drawing made by Lars Wiklund
dated January 20, 1931, showing six cages. AAM.
980 A copy of the letter from Aalto to the manufacturer of the cabins of the elevators to Turun Insinööritoimisto, April
1, 1931. Documents related to the Paimio Sanatorium project. AAM.
981 A copy of the letter from Aalto to the manufacturer of the cabins of the elevators to Turun Insinööritoimisto, May
27, 1931. Documents related to the Paimio Sanatorium project. AAM.
982 Drawing No. 50-747. AAM
983 Drawing No. 50-355. AAM.
984 A letter from Turun Insinööritoimisto to Alvar Aalto, February 11, 1933. Documents related to the Paimio Sanatori-
um project. AAM.
985 Building Board April 9, 1933, Section 2. PSA.
986 Acquisition plan for low current devices and equipment. Documents related to the Paimio Sanatorium project. AAM.