Artek Armchair 42
ARMCHAIR 42
ARMCHAIR 42
Armchair 42 – or “Small Paimio”-was designed by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanatorium in 1932. The frame is made from laminated birch shaped to produce a cantilevered chair; the seat and back are created from one piece of form-pressed plywood.
The fluidity of the design creates a soft, comfortable place to sit. The result is an armchair without straight lines, an armchair of exceptional aesthetic appeal. Since wood changes over time, the armrests are formed from a single piece that is then split in half, ensuring that as the chair ages, it remains perfectly balanced.
DESIGNER
ALVAR AALTO
Recognised today as one of the great masters of modern architecture, Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) was born in Kuortane, Finland.
During a long and prolific career, Aalto designed buildings for almost all key public institutions, as well as standardised housing and private homes. One of the co-founders of Artek, Aalto left a legacy with lasting resonance.
Aalto’s architecture is distinctively Finnish, strongly individual, and marked by a warm humanity. His buildings derive their aesthetic character from their dynamic relationship with their natural surroundings, their human scale, superbly executed details, unique treatment of materials, and ingenious use of lighting.
Aalto began designing furnishings as a natural extension of his architectural thinking. His first modern piece of furniture was created in 1931-32 for the tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio, Finland. Artek was set up in 1935 to market and sell his and his wife Aino’s furniture, lighting, and textiles, particularly on international markets.
Through his innovations in form and line, Alvar Aalto’s name has also become important in the history of design. In fact, Aalto first achieved fame in Continental Europe as a furniture designer, and only later as an architect. His contribution to furniture design was among his foremost achievements in its own right. Aalto’s furniture and lighting form the heart of the Artek range.
information
DOWNLOAD
↓ 42 Factsheet
PRODUCTION
Made in Finland
TECHNICAL DRAWING
FRAME & SHEET SHELL
Frame : -Birch -Cear Lacquer
Seat Shell : -Birch -Black Lacquer
SEAT SHELL
Form-Pressed Birch Plywood
FRAME
Form-Bent Solid Birch Lamella
YEAR
1932
DESIGNER
Alvar Aalto
COLORS
CHAIR
Armrests birch natural lacquered. Seat shell bent birch plywood, lacquered in white or black.
