Biography

Educated as a designer and architect, Ilmari Tapiovaara exerted a significant influence on the Scandinavian design world with his innovative design objects and architectural projects. His work spans nearly 50 productive years, his teachers were Alvar Aalto and Le Corbusier, his students - Eero Aarnio and Yrjö Kukkapuro

Born on 7 September, 1914 in Tampere, Tapiovaara began his education by studying architecture at the prestigious Helsinki University of Technology. During his years of study, he discovered his passion for furniture and interior design, which had a significant impact on his future work. Tapiovaara became best known for his iconic furniture pieces, which are both functional and aesthetically pleasing and are highly traded on the art market.

Among his most famous designs is the 'Mademoiselle' chair series, 1956. Rocking chairs and high-back chairs are characterized by clean lines and Scandinavian minimalism. In addition to his work as a furniture designer, Tapiovaara was also active in architecture. He was involved in the Helsinki University of Technology student dormitory project, where he created modern, functional living spaces. His 'Domus' chair, designed for the Domus Academica student dormitory in 1946, is impressive for its simple elegance and ergonomic design. This piece achieved cult status in Tapiovaara's Œuvre and was successfully sold several times at Quittenbaum.

In the 1950s, the designer created numerous pieces of seating furniture in tubular metal and wood, which were produced in large series. The 'Nana' models were designed as stacking chairs, armchairs or row seats, while 'Lukki' was designed for schools. In the 'Pirkka' series, the designer returned from tubular steel to wood, and at the same time from designing for public spaces to designing for private use. The 'Pirkka' stool is a national icon. It was originally designed to cool off on after a sauna session. The other furniture in the series builds on the same distinctive design language, which goes back to traditional Finnish furniture. The furniture was shipped by the manufacturers Laukaan Puu (Helsinki) and Asko (also Helsinki) for self-assembly. Self-assembly of furniture has a long tradition in Scandinavia. The entire construction of the Pirkka series is made of solid wood and could be assembled without screws.

Ilmari Tapiovaara left a significant impact and shaped Scandinavian design with his focus on simplicity, functionality and aesthetics. His works are highly prized and are sought-after collectibles at auction houses such as Quittenbaum in Munich. Tapiovaara's influence extends far beyond his time and remains an important source of inspiration for designers and architects around the world.

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Objects by Ilmari Tapiovaara