INSPIRED BY ARTEK

The name Artek has always been associated with a design icon rather than a company. And it could not be otherwise, since the founder, Alvar Aalto, was one of the pioneers of Scandinavian design. Established in 1935 to create and promote furniture designed by a Finnish architect, Artek quickly changed its mission, thanks to the contributions of the other three partners, Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. A manifesto drawn up by members of the company declared its intention to produce items that integrate art and technology, as the name suggests. Artek has always preferred to use natural materials, starting with wood, the raw material that is the basis of Alvar Aalto's work. The master's experiments on curved joints of wood and solid wood resulted in objects with a smooth and organic line, which are remarkably durable over time. Stools, armchairs, tables and indestructible chairs from the 1930s are still in use today, and the minimalist design makes them suitable for any place, from residential to public facilities.
Artek's objects have always been mass-produced in accordance with the philosophy of the Modern Movement and hand-finished by skilled craftsmen. Production is concentrated mainly at the plant in Turku, Finland, where carpenters specializing in manual bending of birch, glued plywood, plywood and veneers and varnishing produce finished parts without the help of intermediaries.

Timeless Artek furniture by Alvar Aalto As you can imagine, a large part of the Artek catalog is devoted to Alvar Aalto creations, true bestsellers to this day. The main feature of Aalto's work is the presence of standardized individual elements that are repeated in various collections, such as the so-called L leg or flexible armchair structures. These elements are made of strong and flexible bent birch plywood, the process of which has been patented by the master.
The L-leg collection includes the timeless Stool 60, designed in 1933, consisting of three legs and a round solid birch seat. The stool 60 is infinitely stackable and is available with natural or walnut, honey or black lacquered legs, while the seat is available in various colors. The NE60d version of the children's stool is included in the range of children's furniture.
The 90D coffee table has the same shapes as the stool, while the Aalto Round Table, with its 4 L-shaped legs, paved the way for the design of a modular table system, consisting of the Aalto Rectangular Table, Aalto Square Table and Aalto Semicircular Table versions .
Armchair 42 and Armchair 41 Pamio are revolutionary items that solve the problem of connecting vertical and horizontal elements, with a flexible structure made of complex birch plywood, which supports the seat without the need for frames or crossbars.

Artek collections signed by Ilmari Tapiovaara In the 1950s, the award-winning Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked hard with Artek, contributing to the enrichment of the catalog with unusual products, especially the Domus Chair. Designed in 1946, this award-winning chair is now known as the "Finnish chair". The Domus chair, designed for a dormitory, is ergonomic and suitable for long sitting. Constructed from a combination of solid wood and plywood, it is characterized by small armrests that provide more comfort, while allowing the chair to be stored at the table and saving space. The Domus chair is also available with a backrest and seat upholstered in leather or fabric. The Mademoiselle rocking chair and armchair collection is another global bestseller. Inspired by traditional Finnish chairs, the Mademoiselle is made of solid birch wood, lacquered in black or white, and has a slatted backrest and a slightly rounded seat. The Kiki seat collection is a hymn to essence. Awarded a gold medal at the 1960 Triennial where it was presented, Kiki consists of a double sofa, armchair, bench, pouf and coffee table, and features a black lacquered tubular steel structure with an unusual oval section. The seat and backrest consist of square upholstered cushions and are upholstered in leather or fabric.

Artek's latest proposals, among new talents and old glories Faithful to his values, Artek continues to produce functional design objects that combine art and technology, developing collaboration with numerous designers and artists. Eclectic and award-winning brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec designed the Kaari collection for Artek, a shelf system coordinated with tables and accessories. The bookcase consists of solid oak brackets that are attached to the wall on which the shelves are attached. The shelves are equipped with black painted steel brackets, characterized by a thin cross-section and a flowing silhouette, which is a characteristic feature of the collection. We find the same curvature on which the round Kaari hanging shelf rests, the Kaari desk or console, and tables, available in rectangular, square and round versions.
The latest product is the Rope chair which, as the name suggests, is built around a sea rope. The lightweight and essential structure consists of a tubular steel tube inside which a rope slides, which remains exposed on the armrests and backrest. Rocket Bar Stool is the result of the creativity of Eero Aarnio, one of the pillars of Finnish design. Made entirely of solid oak, the Rocket Bar Stool is a playful bar stool made of natural wood or lacquered in a variety of colors and also available in a Baby Rocket Stool version.