Aalto Armchair 41 "Paimio", anniversary edition, oiled birch

Artek's Armchair 41 in oiled birch is part of the Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection, launched in the summer of 2023 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Paimio Sanatorium. This chair is a true collector's edition: only a limited and numbered edition of 90 pieces has been produced. The proceeds from the anniversary collection will be directed to the Paimio Sanatorium: for every armchair sold, Artek will donate €500 to the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation. The anniversary editions are available until June 2024 or as long as stocks last.

Artek's Armchair 41, also known as the Paimio chair, is one of the most beautiful chairs designed by Alvar Aalto. Its lightness and structural genius are without compare. Armchair 41 was created as part of the Paimio Sanatorium’s overall project led by Aalto. Instead of using traditional metal tubes, Aalto wanted to use something warmer and more human. With this in mind, Aalto designed the Paimio chair, released in 1932, which was manufactured of bent plywood and laminated wood.

Aalto aimed at creating furniture which would promote the patients’ well-being both with their functionalism and beauty – the flowing structure of the Paimio chair was designed to make it easier for the patients to breathe. Paimio Sanatorium made Alvar Aalto a globally celebrated architect, but it was also the beginning of his career as a furniture designer.

Alvar Aalto

Since its founding in 1935, Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek has stood at the intersection of Nordic design, architecture and art. By doing so, Artek has elevated Finnish design, along with Aino and Alvar Aalto's furniture, to global recognition. Artek’s furniture and lighting are cornerstones of Finnish design, gracing numerous homes and public spaces worldwide. Even today, most of Artek's wooden furniture is crafted in Finland.