Yrjö Kukkapuro’s Experiment chair captivates again – Studio Kukkapuro and Hem collaborate on a refreshed edition

Studio Kukkapuro, based in Yrjö Kukkapuro’s atelier home, took on a unique project when the Swedish company Hem reached out with a proposal: to reissue the Experiment chair, an iconic symbol of postmodern design. Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom shares insights with Design Stories on updating the classic.

Ida Kukkapuro, Yrjö Kukkapuro, and Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom at Kukkapuro's studio
Three generations of Kukkapuros: Studio Kukkapuro is led by Ida Kukkapuro, who oversees communications and projects, Yrjö Kukkapuro as the senior expert, and Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom, who manages the home museum operations and product licensing. Photo: Ofer Amir.

IN THE EARLY 1980s, Finnish designer Yrjö Kukkapuro entered a phase he later described as the “postmodern explosion”. Bright primary colors and playful forms defined this era, breaking away from the restrained aesthetics of modernism with bold, expressive designs.

One spark of this explosion was Kukkapuro’s 1982 Experiment chair, which quickly gained international acclaim as a design sensation and a key emblem of postmodernism. Its daring and optimistic look embodied the hopeful spirit of the time and a belief in new possibilities for design.

After being discontinued in the 1990s, the Experiment chair has been given a new lease on life. In the fall of 2024, Swedish brand Hem reintroduced the design in subtly updated versions. This marks the first time Hem, known for publishing contemporary designs, has reissued a design classic.

• Read more: Yrjö Kukkapuro’s Experiment chair: Hem brings a postmodern 80s classic back to life >

Studio Kukkapuro exterior
Nestled in the woods of Kauniainen, Studio Kukkapuro’s undulating architecture represents the futuristic style of the 1960s, envisioned by Yrjö Kukkapuro and Doctor of Engineering Eero Paloheimo.
Studio Kukkapuro interior
The studio reflects the lifelong work of two artists: in addition to Yrjö Kukkapuro, his wife, graphic artist Irmeli Kukkapuro (1934–2022), also worked in the space. The walls are adorned with artworks and posters from different decades.
Experiment armchair 502, blue - ultramarine
Yrjö Kukkapuro has always prioritized both aesthetics and ergonomics in his designs. The proportions of the updated Experiment chair are carefully designed to provide optimal support.

The 2020s revival of the Experiment chair was a collaborative effort between Hem and Studio Kukkapuro, led by two next-generation Kukkapuros: daughter Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom and granddaughter Ida Kukkapuro. Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom, who oversees product licensing, explains how the project came to be:

“Hem’s founder, Petrus Palmér, is well-versed in Nordic design, including the work of past generations. While his focus is on creating future classics, he had long wanted to highlight the masters of previous decades.

At the end of 2022, Petrus called and asked if we’d be open to collaborating. He was specifically interested in the postmodern Experiment series. Production had ceased in the mid-90s, so the timing felt right for a revival. Petrus simply asked, ‘Shall we do this together?’ and we said, ‘Yes.’”

• Read more: Interview with Hem founder Petrus Palmér >

Yrjö Kukkapuro in his studio
Yrjö Kukkapuro moved into the experimental atelier home with his family in 1968. The open, unified space is filled with prototypes of chairs and sofas.
Original Experiment chair from 1982
The original Experiment chair, manufactured by Avarte in 1982, remained in production until 1994.
Colorful armrest details of the Experiment chair
The armrest colors symbolize different natural elements – the wavy blue forms represent Finland’s many lakes.
Postmodern chairs designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro
Similar elements appear in many of Kukkapuro’s works in various iterations. Bright primary colors are a key part of his postmodern era designs.

Hem’s reissued Experiment chairs stay remarkably true to the original design, with only minor updates to colors, proportions, and construction.

“Hem received the original pieces from Studio Kukkapuro and analyzed their technical details. Their team proposed one major change: scaling up the seat dimensions by 10%. Yrjö was skeptical at first, but when he sat in the prototype, he didn’t even notice the difference. The frame structure was also modified for flat-pack shipping, making it a perfect fit for e-commerce,” Kukkapuro-Enbom explains.

She praises Hem’s professionalism and seamless collaboration throughout the project.

“The Hem team did extensive research, sourced subcontractors, and found manufacturers capable of delivering a high-quality product. While maintaining the original color options, they also had the freedom to propose new ones. The final versions were approved by Yrjö Kukkapuro, and his original 1983 drawings were used in the visual marketing materials.”

Sketches of the Experiment chair
Most of Kukkapuro’s designs were created by model-making rather than sketching, but the Experiment chair began as spontaneous sketches in a notebook.
Miniature model of the Karuselli chair
A miniature model of the Karuselli chair, first introduced in 1965, sits on the open kitchen’s countertop in the studio.
Experiment lounge chair 502, blue - ultramarine
The new Experiment chair comes in 16 different variations, with four options for both the armrests and upholstery fabrics.
Yrjö Kukkapuro at his studio
At over 90 years old, Kukkapuro remains busy with exhibition planning, establishing a foundation and home museum, and hosting numerous visitors.

Studio Kukkapuro embarked on a new chapter in 2023, ushering in a new generation. Until then, Yrjö Kukkapuro had spent his entire career as a freelance designer. Having started in the 1950s, the legendary designer’s career now spans more than seven decades.

Studio Kukkapuro is based in an atelier building in Kauniainen, near Helsinki, which for decades also served as the home of Yrjö Kukkapuro, artist Irmeli Kukkapuro (1934–2022), and their daughter Isa. The modern, open studio space is a layered showcase of design history, filled with classic chairs and prototypes from different eras. The newly introduced Experiment chairs seamlessly extend this narrative, evoking both memories of the 1980s and a sense of the future.

“Our collaboration with Hem has marked the beginning of a new era for us, opening our eyes to the vast potential of Yrjö Kukkapuro’s unique body of work. It’s been a joy to work with an international partner, and of course, we hope the chair finds its way into people’s homes,” Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom reflects.

Explore Experiment chairs

Experiment chair, black - black leather
Experiment chair, red - black
Experiment chair, green - black leather
Experiment chair, blue - black
Experiment chair, black - light beige
Experiment chair, red - light beige
Experiment chair, green - ultramarine
Experiment chair, blue - ultramarine

See also:

All Experiment chairs at Finnish Design Shop >
Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom: The Blue Door: Yrjö Kukkapuro Life & Work >

Text: Nora Uotila Photos: Juho Huttunen

Home
Next story




Subscribe to Finnish Design Shop’s newsletter to stay updated on new Design Stories!

Subscribe now

For the love of design

Design Stories is Finnish Design Shop's own online magazine, that takes you to beautiful Nordic homes, introduces new products and beloved icons – and much more!

Go to the Design Stories front page

Shop Nordic design

Design Stories is provided by Finnish Design Shop, the world’s largest online store specialized in Nordic design.

Discover our selection

Buy & sell authentic vintage

Franckly.com is a curated online marketplace for pre-owned design maintained by Finnish Design Shop.

Find treasures at Franckly