Designed for the Paimio sanatorium in Finland in 1931, it is one of a series of "accessories of architecture", a phrase coined by Alvar Aalto himself to refer to his furniture. The Paimio armchair, which was revolutionary in its design and ergonomics, affords patients the ideal sitting position in which to breathe and sunbathe during their treatment. Alvar Aalto's designs from the beginning of the 1930s were inspired by organic forms, and took into account the characteristics of a site and the particularities of its surrounding outdoor area. His work on wood and organic forms gained Aalto international recognition.