Ilmari Tapiovaara, Pirkka, bar stool

Bar stool Pirkka from legend Ilmari Tapiovaara, model Pirkka for Artek. Height 79 cm.  

Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914–1999) was a defining figure of Finnish modern design—a designer and interior architect whose creations were guided by a profound respect for nature, functional clarity, and social purpose. Born into a large family in Hämeenlinna, his early years among forests and craft traditions deeply influenced his lifelong belief that “nature is the best and closest manual for the industrial designer.”

Graduating in interior design from Helsinki’s Central School of Applied Arts in 1937, he quickly expanded his horizons—working with Alvar Aalto in Arteks London office, Le Corbusier in Paris, and later teaching at the Illinois Institute of Technology under the influence of Mies van der Rohe. These experiences shaped his conviction that industrially produced furniture should be accessible, high-quality, and grounded in meaning.

Tapiovaara’s breakout design, the Domus chair (circa 1946), created for the Domus Academica student residence in Helsinki, brought him widespread acclaim. It combined bent plywood innovation with refined ergonomics and remains in production today. Over his prolific career, he designed memorable chairs such as Lukki, Fanett, Mademoiselle, as well as the functional Pirkka stool for sauna use—demonstrating both versatility and purpose-driven creativity.

Beyond furniture, his design practice was holistic—spanning lamps, cutlery, textiles, interiors, and graphic arts—guided by a belief that design rooted in philosophical clarity was meaningful. His work earned him Finland’s Pro Finlandia medal in 1959 and multiple gold medals at the Milan Triennale in 1964, affirming his status as an essential voice in 20th-century design.

Today, Tapiovaara’s designs are prized by collectors and remain in production through Artek, including enduring models like Domus, Fanett, Crinolette, and Pirkka—testament to the timeless humanity woven through his work.

*The first image, where the piece of furniture is shown in an environment, is a rendering of the product. Although it uses a cut-out of our actual product, slight differences may have occurred. For an exact representation, see the other images.