Östanlidin parantola (Östanlid sanatorium)

English translation (from the Finnish)

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Description

The Östanlid sanatorium is an example of the sanatorium knowledge that influenced hospital architecture in the early decades of the 20th century. The Östanlid hospital, built on dry sandy ground, represents high-quality functionalist design.

The unified sanatorium complex of Östanlid, surrounded by pine forest close to the centre of Pietarsaari in the Östanpå district, is in its site and architecture a good example of the tuberculosis sanatoria built in Finland in the 1930s. The sanatorium was built on a sand esker in clean air, and it was believed that the conditions for recovery would be met in a light sanatorium.

The main building of the sanatorium, designed by architect Ragnar Wessman, is a monumental and functionalist building. The west wing, with its balconies and rest rooms, follows the model of the Paimio sanatorium designed by Alvar Aalto. The nine buildings in the area include, in addition to the sanatorium, residential buildings for doctors and nurses, and outbuildings.

The sanatorium is still used for health care that corresponds closely to its original use.

History

At the end of the 19th century, the incidence of tuberculosis mortality in Finland increased, and as a result several small tuberculosis sanatoriums and treatment institutions were built at the beginning of the 20th century by municipalities and organisations. The construction of sanatoriums was particularly brisk in the 1920s and 1930s, thanks to the 1927 Tuberculosis Decree and the state subsidies for municipal tuberculosis sanatoriums and mental health institutions provided under the 1929 Act.

The sanatoriums were located on dry kangasmaa ground, where the air was clean and dry. The effect of sunlight on recovery was taken into account by orienting the building and patient rooms optimally with respect to natural light. The treatment included the so-called hallimakuu, which is why extensive sleeping halls and rest balconies are typical architectural features.

A tuberculosis sanatorium for Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia was planned from 1927 onwards, for 150 patients. Architect Axel Mörne made plans, which were not realised. Construction of the hospital began in 1938 to the designs of Ragnar Wessman, chief architect of the Lääkintöhallitus. The site chosen for the hospital was the pine ridge at Östanpå in Pietarsaari; other proposed locations were Kovjoki, Korsholma or Vaasa.

The main building of the sanatorium was completed in 1940, and the sanatorium was inaugurated for use on 28 December 1940. The building stock also included, among others, an office and a residential building for assistant physicians, living quarters for nurses, a dwelling for married staff, outbuildings and a chapel. The building stock of the area was further supplemented during the 1940s with a residence for the chief physician and a residential building for assistant physicians.

During the war years Östanlid served as a military hospital and afterwards as a tuberculosis hospital, until in the 1970s the Östanlid hospital became part of the Vaasa hospital district. The hospital was renovated in 1986-1989. Samfundet Folkhälsan i Finland purchased the Östanlid hospital in 2003. The main building was renovated in 2003-2008.