artek

Artek was founded in 1935 by four young Finns led by visionary modern architect Alvar Aalto. The business strategy of the company was "to sell furniture and to promotea modern culture of living by exibitions and other educational means". The Artek collection comprises furniture, lighting and accessories by the Nordin master as Alvar Aalto, Tapio Wirkkala and Eero Aarnio, and by the international designers as Konstantin Grcic, Hella Jongerius and Enzo Mari. Artek's collection is based on the original idea of standards and systems, initiated by Alvar Aalto's bent wood experiments that resulted in the L-leg system. The L-leg, a solid wood leg with a laminated part bent at 90°, was patented in 1933 and quickly became a standard component of Aalto's furniture designs. The standard and system thinking makes the furniture range versatile and allows it to be customized for individual projects. Artek's furniture can be found in various types of spaces: public areas, private homes, museums, schools, restaurants, hotels and offices. Artek is now a brand of Vitra.