First designed in 1951, the Lukki Chair is an incredibly distinctive piece. With its highly durable matt powder-coated steel frame and lacquered seat and backrest, the Lukki chair is a design driven object that carries with it a timeless aesthetic. Originally designed for the student dormitories of the Helsinki University of Technology, Tapiovaara's chair is stackable to four high, and works in a myriad of spaces throughout the home, from the dining room to the home office, to the hallway or reception space. Subtle enough to not dominate a space, but characterful enough to make it a talking point, the Lukki Chair is available in a choice of stone white or black, and is a genuinely inspiring object from one of the great Finnish designers.
Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara was one of the greatest interior architects and designers of his era. With the mind of an explorer and soul of a craftsman, Tapiovaara was always looking for ways to improve everyday objects. He embraced the principle of social equality and became a leading figure in the years after World War Two, when design was no longer seen as a luxury for the few.
A main characteristic of Tapiovaara's work was that he explored its possibilities through multiplicity - he created many versions of each of his designs and reissued them in different shapes.
Tapiovaara's most iconic work is his Domus Chair, a stackable plywood chair which he designed for Domus Academica, a new student housing facility in Helsinki.