Artek: Master design from Finland
Artek: Where art and technology meet
Artek is the top address when it comes to Finnish designer furniture. The Helsinki-based brand can look back on a long tradition and history – it was founded in 1935 by true greats of the Northern European design scene.
The Artek range includes modern and timeless furniture, lamps and accessories that epitomise the name of the label – ‘art’ and ‘technology’.
Artek: Collections
Aalto Collection
Works of a master
When you have a designer as legendary as Alvar Aalto, you have to honour him with a collection of his own – the Aalto collection from Artek includes all the classics the Finnish designer created for Artek. All of his seating furniture, lamps and shelves are characterised by organic, clear shapes and a modern timelessness.
abc Collection
Small and meaningful
The abc Collection from Artek was first introduced in 2012 and comprises a wide range of products that take care of the small problems and needs of everyday life while improving it almost unnoticed. They are not only functional, but also a real eye-catcher. The centrepiece of the series is the Sienna pattern designed by Alvar Aalto.
FIN/JPN Friendship Collection
Japandi style products
In honour of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan, Artek launched the FIN/JPN Friendship collection in 2019. This is characterised by products that combine the design philosophies and cultures of the two countries. The focus is on shared core values: simplicity, closeness to nature, tranquillity and respect.
Lighting collection
Stylish lamps from Finland
The Artek lighting collection includes lamps designed by Alvar Aalto and Tapio Wirkkala. They are characterised by harmonious and friendly shapes and become real eye-catchers thanks to small accents that can be overlooked at first glance. They create a warm and cosy atmosphere in any room.
Artek: Founded by design legends
The history of Artek begins in 1935 with its foundation in Helsinki by the designers Alvar and Aino Aalto, the art patron Maire Gullichsen and the art historian Nils-Gustav Hahl. It unites the vision of a modern living culture – furniture and furniture exhibitions should contribute to a rethinking of interior design and everyday life in Finland.
The name of the company says it all: Artek’s furniture and everyday objects combine art and technology to create modern and timeless classics that not only look good, but are also highly functional and easy to manufacture. Typical of Artek is also the combination of a wide variety of furniture and individual components into a large whole, made possible by high flexibility and clear, simple shapes that can be easily adapted to each other.
Today, Artek continues the traditions of its founders and impresses with modern, creative and innovative design ideas.
Artek: Designer
Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is considered one of the greatest and most successful designers of the 20th century and the ‘founding father’ of modernism. With his unique style and clever design, he created numerous objects that have achieved classic status today. He was one of the first to focus on the functionality and comfort of furniture – and paved the way for the triumph of Scandinavian design.
Aino Aalto
Aino Aalto (actually Marsio-Aalto, 1894-1949) studied architecture and, together with her husband, in whose office she worked from 1924, formed a furious duo in the Scandinavian design world. But even without him, the representative of modernism was successful and inspired radical new ways of thinking. As head designer and manager of Artek, she constantly challenged traditions and the familiar anew.
Ilmari Tapiovaara
Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) is also an integral part of Finnish design history. Like his role model Alvar Aalto, the interior and furniture designer was always on the lookout for new ideas and ways to reinvent and improve everyday objects, drawing on functionalism. His designs for Artek include the Aslak Chair.
Eero Aarnio
Eero Aarnio (*1932) is best known for his round plastic designs. He introduced new materials such as plastic and fibreglass to modern Finnish design. He follows a clear line: there are no corners or edges in his products, everything is well-formed and round, sometimes abstract and futuristic. With his revolutionary ideas, Aarnio fits in perfectly with Artek’s corporate philosophy.