Aslak Chair

Overview

Ilmari Tapiovaara sketched the Aslak Chair in 1946, but technical advances delayed manufacture until 1958. Artek describes it for restaurants, meeting rooms and homes, including use at dining tables.

Construction

The seat and back are formed beech plywood. Solid beech and form-pressed beech plywood make up the frame and legs. Curved seating surfaces and short rounded armrests shape the chair’s documented function.

Specifications

The official drawing labels W 53 × D 50 × H 76 cm and a 46 cm seat height. Four chairs can be stacked.

From sketch to production

Although Tapiovaara drew Aslak as early as 1946, Artek says it was not manufactured until 1958. Improvements in production technology made serial manufacture possible at that later date.

Economy of material

Artek relates Aslak to Tapiovaara’s goal of combining plasticity with economical material use. The chair achieves that objective through formed plywood surfaces, a beech frame and a stackable structure.