60 Stool by Artek —a classic on three legs

The stackable 60 stool was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 and manufactured by O.y. Huonekalu – ja Rakennustyötehdas. After the founding of Artek in 1935, the stool was added to the standard product line at Artek . In the 1940s, the simple three-legged stool became a huge bestseller. The famous design was created for the library in Viipuri and spread around the world. The minimalist and functional design was revolutionary at the time. Instead of the usual steel, architect and designer Alvar Aalto used birch wood, which is abundant in Finland. For this reason, the extraordinary stool was also affordable for lower-income families. And to carry on the tradition, Artek still produces the “ 60 ” stool today from bent, solid birch veneer. The wood is bent using a process developed specifically by Aalto, and the legs and seat are glued together to form a single visual unit. The stool is available in various lacquered finishes (clear, black, or white). It is also available with different seat options: coated with black linoleum or white laminate, or upholstered in fabric or leather. To mark the 80th anniversary of the “ 60 ,” Artek is presenting several special editions of the stool—featuring color-lacquered seats—as well as limited editions with various patterns designed by different artists.