MAD Crash Course: Problem-oriented design
- Violetta Dyka
- Oct 1, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 28, 2024
29.10 - 01.10
Exploring Alvar Aalto's Paimio Sanatorium. Healing architecture.
Wicked problem - what is that?
My first course at HKB has opened a doorway to a world where design isn't just about beauty but about healing. And my journey began with Alvar Aalto's Paimio Sanatorium - a masterpiece of Finnish architecture that shows how thoughtful design can enhance well-being.
What is Healing Architecture?
"Healing architecture" is the practice of designing spaces that actively support physical and mental health. Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium, built in the 1930s for tuberculosis patients, is a prime example. Every aspect - from the gentle curves of the building to the color palette, light, and materials - was crafted with patient comfort and recovery in mind.
Exploring this space, I was struck by how small design choices add up to a massive impact. For instance, the placement of windows maximizes natural light, and Aalto even designed the furniture, such as reclining chairs, to ease breathing and relaxation. This attention to detail is what makes the sanatorium such a powerful case study.
The Wicked Problem
In design, a “wicked problem” is one that’s complex and difficult to solve due to its evolving nature and multiple interconnected factors. The concept of privacy for displaced populations, for instance, represents such a problem in social design.
The protection and sustainable use of biodiversity is a social, economic, and technical challenge. It can be called a "Wicked Problem" (Rittel).
Following the links below, you can explore more about Aalto’s work at Paimio Sanatorium, and, together, we’ll uncover how architecture can truly become a healing force.
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