Artek Celebrates Stool 60’s 80th Anniversary

One of Artek’s most popular designs is turning 80 this year, and to celebrate the Alvar Aalto designed Stool 60, they’re featuring the stools with colored tops that were the colors used in one of Aalto’s architectural designs at the time. They’re also partnering with architects and designers on a series of special edition stools (above) throughout the year.

Completed in 1932, the Paimio Sanatorium was designed by Aalto to be a tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio, Finland and the tops of this series of stools were inspired by the colors he used there. The yellow is from the floors, the green from the walls, turquoise from the handrails and walls, and the orange, black, and white are from the furniture.

The classic 3-legged stool was the first of its kind because it was made of wood instead of tubular steel. The curved, L-shaped legs took years to perfect and the result was the design you see today – simple and stackable.

They will also be commemorating the 80th anniversary by introducing a series of stools that are designed by various well-known architects and designers. First up are these by Mike Meiré.

Watch the video to see his colorful stools come together: