for _, object in pairs(object_list) do
    if object.existing_object then
      object.existing_objects = {object.existing_object}
    end
    self.objects[#self.objects + 1] = object
    if pay_for then
      local build_cost = self.ui.hospital:getObjectBuildCost(object.object.id)
      self.ui.hospital:spendMoney(object.qty * build_cost, _S.transactions.buy_object .. ": " .. object.object.name, object.qty * build_cost)
    end
  end

  for _,ob in ipairs(self.objects) do
    if ob.object.orientations == nil then
      print(ob)
      for k,v in pairs(ob) do
        print("    ", k,v)
        if k == "object" then
          for ok,ov in pairs(v) do
            print("        ", ok,ov)
          end
        end
      end
      print()
    end
  end

  -- sort list by size of object (number of tiles in the first existing orientation (usually north))
  table.sort(self.objects, function(o1, o2)
    local orient1 = o1.object.orientations.north or o1.object.orientations.east
                 or o1.object.orientations.south or o1.object.orientations.west
    local orient2 = o2.object.orientations.north or o2.object.orientations.east
                 or o2.object.orientations.south or o2.object.orientations.west
    return #orient1.footprint > #orient2.footprint
  end)