Artek Forest Collection, Artek Stool E60 Wild Birch

Artek stool E60 Wild Birch, Special Edition.

The Stool E60 wild birch from the Finnish Artek is the third special edition stool of 2023, in honor of the 90th anniversary of the design. Created in collaboration with the design duo Formafantasma.

This stool E60 celebrates the authentic beauty of birch wood: stool E60 Villi is made of so-called wild birch wood that shows the natural variation of the material as a whole. The surface may contain visible knots, stains or darker heartwood.

Through the use of "wild birch", Artek wants to start the conversation about the need for a new, more sustainable aesthetic. Due to climate change, Finnish wood today has more color variations than before, as well as traces left by insects that were previously invisible in the Finnish forests. These marks or knots do not affect the durability or usability of the wood.

The Artek Villi stool begs the question: should we disguise these natural characteristics of wood or should we instead accept them as a natural variant?

Combine this stool with the other two special editions: Stool 60 Loimu and the Stool Kontrasti and you have a unique trio.

Colour: Birch wood
Dimensions: Width 38 cm Height 44 cm
Seat material: Natural lacquered birch veneer
Basic material; Naturally varnished wild birch
Weight: 3kg
Notes: Supplied flat packed in a box.
Warranty: 50 years

About the original designer:

Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is probably the most famous Finnish architect and designer in the world. In 1921, Alvar Aalto obtained a degree in architecture from the Helsinki Institute of Technology and began his career as an architect. One of the most important works he was assigned was the planning of the tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio, Finland.

This project also marked the beginning of Aalto's career as a furniture designer - in fact, this was the first building planned by Aalto that was completely furnished with furniture pieces designed by Aalto himself - including the lighting. Other important projects completed by Alvar Aalto are the municipal library of Viipuri, Villa Mairea, La Maison Carré and the Finnish pavilions for the 1937 World Exhibitions in Paris and 1939 in New York.