Artek's classics are the foundation of Finnish design – introducing 7 timeless gems by Alvar Aalto

Trends come and go, but the timeless allure of classics transcends decades – Artek's iconic furniture and lighting have brought beauty and functionality to homes worldwide for nearly a century. We selected seven Aalto favorites: read on to discover the stories behind these beloved products.

ARTEK WAS FOUNDED in 1935 by four young idealists – Aino and Alvar Aalto, Nils-Gustav Hahl, and Maire Gullichsen. They released a manifesto in the spirit of functionalism, stating that Artek's purpose was to "engage in the furniture trade, as well as to promote modern housing culture through exhibitions and other means."

Even decades later, Artek's cherished furniture and lighting, such as the Aalto stool and the Beehive, remain cornerstones of Finnish and Nordic design. Their uniquely timeless design language continues to resonate from one generation to the next.

• Read also: The dictionary of Nordic design – Artek >

1. Stool 60 – The Aalto Stool

First introduced in 1933, the Stool 60 was an innovative sensation in the design world of its time. Created by Alvar Aalto, its L-shaped leg was a revolutionary technical achievement, serving as a catalyst for the modern Scandinavian design language.

The bending of the leg involves a technique that is still used today: the bendable wood is first sawn into a fan-like shape at the end, and thin birch veneers are glued into the open grooves. This allows the wood to be bent to the desired angle through heating and steaming. The result is an exceptionally strong structure that easily attaches to the stool's seat.

First introduced in 1933, the Stool 60 was an innovative sensation in the design world of its time.

Artek's Stool 60 is not only a unique icon of Finnish furniture design but also a brilliantly beautiful product with a timeless and simple form that never ages. Stool 60 serves as an excellent spare seat, and it also functions as a convenient small table, perfect for placing beside an armchair or in a bedroom. Additionally, the stools can be easily stacked into an elegantly spiraling tower when not in use.

• Artek's Aalto stool 60 >
• Read also: See how the iconic stool 60 is made >

2. A331 – The Beehive

The A331 pendant lamp is another beloved Artek classic, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1953. Also known as the "Beehive" lamp, this sculptural luminaire was initially created as part of the interior design at the University of Jyväskylä. Since then, it has illuminated countless homes around the world.

The distinctive form of A331 is composed of a white-painted aluminum shade and polished brass or chrome-coated steel rings, through which light filters elegantly – creating beautiful stripes of illumination. The captivating Beehive brings timeless Aalto essence to any space, making it a perfect fit both above a dining table and in a living room setting.

• Artek's A331 pendant, "Beehive" >
• Read also: Artek luminaires enhance the ambiance of any space >

3. Armchair 400 – The Tank

Artek's armchair number 400, also known as "Tank," stands as a definitive milestone in 20th-century furniture design. Setting itself apart not only in form but also in its conceptual origins, armchair 400 marked a departure from Aalto's earlier designs. Previously, Aalto had crafted each of his chairs with a specific architectural project in mind, but Tankki was created as a commissioned piece for the Milan Triennale in 1936.

Did you know that Tankki chairs are hand-upholstered in Artek's upholstery workshop adjacent to their factory in Turku, Finland?

While Aalto's earlier chairs exuded a sense of lightness, the Tankki chair exhibits a sturdier build and a lower center of gravity. Nevertheless, the end result remains characteristically Aalto: airy and grounded in nature. The striking zebra-patterned fabric is part of the original upholstery selection, but the armchair is available in a variety of upholstery options. Did you know that Tankki chairs are hand-upholstered in Artek's upholstery workshop adjacent to their factory in Turku, Finland?

• Artek's armchair 400, "Tank" >

4. Chair 69

Chair 69 is one of Alvar Aalto's most popular dining chairs and an excellent companion to Artek's iconic Aalto tables. The chair's simple yet vibrant design also complements the decor of other rooms: chair 69 features a wider backrest and seat, making it not only comfortable for dining but also suitable for work and relaxation. The chair's leg structure also showcases Aalto's famous L-shaped legs.

When properly cared for, Artek's furniture can withstand even the most rigorous daily use for decades.

Chair 69 is a familiar sight in various public spaces in Finland, from school cafeterias to daycare. This further underscores Aalto's design's unique timelessness: with proper care, these pieces can endure even the most rigorous daily use for decades.

• Artek's Aalto chair 69 >
• Read also: How to take care of your Artek furniture? >

5. A330S – The Golden Bell

Artek's pendant lamp A330S or Golden Bell was originally designed for the renowned Savoy restaurant in Helsinki in 1937. Lighting design was a crucial aspect of Alvar Aalto's work: for him, illumination and lamps played a vital role in architecture. The lamps were part of a cohesive whole that Aalto wanted to control down to the smallest details. Many of Aalto's lamps originated from specific building design projects.

Lighting design was a central part of Alvar Aalto's work.

The elegant A330S lamp combines Aalto's characteristic carefully detailed and thought-out design language with the diffusion of light through the lamp's intricately perforated metal shade. Crafted from a single sheet of brass, the outer surface of the A330S lamp is polished and lacquered, while its interior is painted white, emitting a pure and pleasant light around it.

• Artek's A330S pendant, "Golden Bell" >
• Read also: The legendary Savoy restaurant is the ultimate in style and fine dining >

6. Aalto tea trolley 900

Artek's tea trolley 900 draws inspiration from the British tea culture and Japanese woodworking traditions and architecture. Alvar Aalto initially designed the immensely popular serving trolley for the 1937 Paris World Fair.

The distinctive appearance of the tea trolley 900 is derived from its bent birch frame, large plywood wheels, handwoven rattan basket, and tiled tabletop. Aalto originally designed the serving trolley for home use, and it can be found, among other places, in the living room of Villa Mairea.

• Artek's tea trolley 900 >

7. Armchair 41 – The Paimio chair

Artek's armchair 41, also known as the Paimio Chair, is undeniably one of the most beautiful chairs designed by Alvar Aalto – its lightness and structural ingenuity remain unparalleled even today. Armchair 41 emerged as part of the overall design for the Paimio Sanatorium, a project that Alvar Aalto took on after winning a design competition in 1929.

Alvar Aalto aimed to create furniture for the Paimio sanatorium that would promote patients' well-being through both aesthetics and functionality.

Alvar Aalto aimed to create furniture for the sanatorium that would promote patients' well-being through both aesthetics and functionality. He sought to provide a contrast to traditional furniture made from metal tubing and aimed for something warmer and more humane. This led to the creation of the Paimio Chair in 1932, crafted from bent plywood and laminated wood. In addition to its aesthetic form, the Paimio Chair's design was intended to facilitate patients' breathing, making it both visually pleasing and medically considerate.

• Artek's armchair 41, the Paimio chair >
• Read also: The new exciting era of Paimio Sanatorium >

See also:

• All Artek's products >
• All designs by Alvar Aalto >

Edit: Mira Ahola Images: Artek