Alvar Aalto is one of the best-known architects from the past century, one that everybody loves for his honest and functional approach to architecture and design. Not only that, Aalto had great talent for translating images into objects and buildings, transmitting his love for forests and calm atmospheres typical of Finland, his home country.
Together with his famous wife Aino, Aalto founded Artek, a company that would sell their furniture (Aino was an architect and a designer as well) and that is still in business today, producing some pieces that are more relevant than ever.
ALVAR AALTO Furniture and Objects
A glance at Artek’s catalog reveals the vast scope of the Aaltos’ production. Here, we we will look at a small part of their work, the one we find the most interesting, and that we believe continues to influence contemporary design today.
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Stool 60
Designed as furniture for the Viipuri Library in 1933, this stool by Alvar Aalto is one of the longest-lasting and most well-known design objects in the world. Produced by Artek, the company founded by the Aaltos to market their products, on its 90th anniversary, Stool 60 was reimagined by the duo FormaFantasma, who created a version focused on sustainability and ecology. The innovation that secured Stool 60’s success is the layered wood construction that allows for the L-shaped bend of the three legs. Beautiful, simple, and practical, the stool has been a commercial success for nearly a century and a project of immense cultural impact. Today, it is part of the collections of some of the best design museums in Europe and in the world.
Savoy Vase, Aalto Collection
In 1936, Alvar and Aino Aalto were involved in designing the interiors of a new restaurant on the coast near Copenhagen—the renowned Savoy restaurant. To furnish the interiors, they designed furniture, home accessories, and design objects, many of which, like the famous Aalto Vase, are still in production today. Nearly a century later, Aalto’s freeform and organic design vase remains among the most well-known Scandinavian design objects, and a bestseller for the Finnish glassworks Iittala. Over the years, it has evolved into many color and size variations, now forming the Aalto line by Iittala.
Pamio Armchair
The Paimio Armchair is one of the most famous seating designs of the last century, a piece that has made design history and continues to exert its influence today. Designed by Aalto for his renowned Paimio Sanatorium, the armchair consists of a bent plywood sheet and a birch frame, crafted according to ergonomic principles and an organic aesthetic that characterizes all of Aalto’s work. Paimio’s ergonomics are intended to facilitate breathing, while its beauty and elegance create an atmosphere that still evokes a strong sense of well-being today. Due to the manufacturing techniques, formal research, and aesthetic strength of the design, the Paimio Chair has had an enormous cultural and commercial impact. It is now part of the collections of the world’s leading design museums, including MoMA in New York.
66 Chair
The 66 Chair, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1935, is a classic of modernist design. Made with a birch wood frame, it features a rounded backrest and a wide, comfortable seat. The chair is characterized by its simple and functional design, typical of Aalto’s style. Designed to be versatile, it is suitable for both domestic and public spaces. Produced by Artek, the company founded by Aalto, Chair 66 is valued for its durability and timeless aesthetic. It is displayed in various design museums and continues to be a highly sought-after piece.
Armchair 400 "Tank"
The Tank Armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, is an icon of organic design. Characterized by its bent laminated wood frame and wide armrests, it combines sturdiness with elegance. Designed for the 1937 Paris World’s Fair, it received accolades for its innovative design. The armchair, with its padded seat and backrest upholstered in high-quality fabrics or leather, offers exceptional comfort. Produced by Artek, the company founded by Aalto, the Tank Armchair is still in production over 90 years after its creation.
Table 80A
The 80A Table, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1935, is an emblematic example of Finnish modernist design. Made from birch wood, it features a sturdy structure and a rectangular top with clean lines. The table’s design is characterized by functional simplicity, with slightly curved legs that add a distinctive and harmonious touch. The 80A Table is versatile and suitable for various settings, from domestic use to public environments. Produced by Artek, it reflects Aalto’s philosophy of combining aesthetics with practicality. It is a piece appreciated for its durability and universal design.
Lounge Chair 43
The Lounge Chair 43, created by Alvar Aalto in 1937, represents an excellence in modernist design. The structure is made of bent birch wood, giving it an elegant and lightweight appearance. The seat and backrest feature a woven fabric or leather, providing both a distinctive aesthetic detail and superior comfort. The slight recline of the chair is designed to promote relaxation and ensure ergonomic support. Produced by Artek, founded by Aalto himself, this chair is celebrated for its combination of beauty, functionality, and craftsmanship.
Beehive Pendant Lamp
The first designer pendant lamp we will discuss is the A331, also known as the Beehive. Designed in 1953, it is an icon of Finnish design and one of the most successful lighting projects by Alvar Aalto and his company Artek. Featuring horizontal metal rings made of aluminum and brass, it diffuses a warm and uniform light without glare. Aalto created this lamp to combine aesthetics and functionality, offering cozy illumination while maximizing his design, technical, and aesthetic intelligence. The result is a project that, nearly a century after its launch, remains a classic of Scandinavian design and an important object in the history of design.
901 Tea Trolley
The Tea Trolley 901, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, is a distinctive piece of modernist design. This tea trolley is made from birch wood, with laminated shelves and large wooden wheels for easy movement. The simple and functional design reflects Aalto’s minimalist aesthetic, while the curvilinear details of the handles add a touch of elegance. The Tea Trolley 901 is versatile, usable as both a tea trolley and a side table. Produced by Artek, founded by Aalto, it is valued for its combination of practicality and refined design.
THE INFLUENCE OF ALVAR AALTO Furniture
While in most of 1920s Europe, modernist design developed through a new relationship between art and industry and the aesthetics of metal tubing, Finland and Scandinavian countries were an exception. During the same years, Alvar and Aino Aalto’s design expressed itself through organic design—sober, practical, conceived with intelligence, and centered around a key material: wood.
The use of wood as a construction material remains a hallmark of both Finnish and Scandinavian design today. It is based on the principle that living in a healthy, practical, and aesthetically pleasing environment (with its inherent benefits) is a right for everyone. Thus, natural raw materials, ergonomic design, and durability are common features in the work of Aalto.
To write this article, we read:
- Design History Handbook, by Domitilla Dardi and Vanni Pasca
- Alvar Aalto e gli Oggetti, by Timo Keinänen, Pekka Korvenmaa, Kaarina Mikonranta, Ásdís Olafsdóttir (in Italian).
