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Zabludowicz Design Collection Finland Trip: Day One
7 July 2018
In Helsinki, our trip started with a wonderful dinner at the gallery of Juhani and Roope Lemmetti. We were so enamored by the beautiful displays of Finnish furniture, glass and ceramics – it prepared us for the rest of the aesthetically beautiful trip!
Chef Joni Rahikainen served us an array of delights, course after course
Another day, another gastronomic delight – we stopped off for a coffee and snack on the way to Paimio Sanatorium. Designed by Alvar Aalto in the early 20th century for patients with tuberculosis which is caused by low immune systems created by poor conditions during war time and recession. Poju Zab’s father had spent time there
It was incredible to see the roof deck where patients was sent each day to lie out and breath in the fresh air for hours at a time. From Left to right Tif Zab, revered designers Jean-Pierre Tortil, Hazel Collins, moi, ZC staff Riikka Toivonen, Ikko Yokoyama Design and Architecture Curator from M+, Keeper of the V&A's Design, Architecture and Digital Department Dr Christopher Turner and V&A Curator Corinna Gardner
The rooms were an incredible fete of design. A place where patients could be cared for and appreciate the aesthetic simplicity
The spittoon in the middle, with a press of a button, in which fluids would immediately be sent to a central cleaning center. There was no stone left unturned.
The building was so carefully thought out, every view point was a winner
Even the outdoor lighting was thoughtful
Indoor lighting had no dust catchers, and heat radiated from the ceilings rather than the floors
With no café onsite the Finns compiled the most wondrous picnic on the grounds. The temperature was cold but we were all very happy
In the afternoon we visited the office and home of Alvar Aalto which were truly radical for its time. So many details and so much love for his family and workers
At The Aalto House, Jean-Pierre Tortil and I gave great admiration to Aalto’s paintings on the wall
Artist Matthew Darbyshire was checking out the house for his next project
In the evening we were royally treated by Kaj Forsblom and Rafaela Seppälä to a wonderful dinner. We visited their reflective dining room with a magnificent installation by Charles Sandison
