401 armchair artek

2014

  • Material: Several textiles, solid birch frame
  • Dimensions: Width 62,5 cm, depth 80 cm, seat height 40 cm, height 105 cm
  • Commission: Artek
  • Production: Artek
  • Category: Industrial production

For the collection of the 401 armchair, Hella Jongerius combined structured fabrics to create a colour blocking effect. The combination of the two-coloured pieces with a third fabric covering the back breaks up the long lines of the 401. This creates a fresh and playful take on upholstery, marking the beginning of a new, fruitful collaboration.
In Hella Jongerius’ first collaboration with Artek, she has re-interpreted Alvar Aalto’s classics – products that embody simplicity.  Working with Aalto’s armchairs 400 and 401 and Stool 60, Jongerius’ ambition was to soften their overall look by creating a tonal colour palette around four wood finishes. Next to the existing Artek wood finishes, silver birch and honey, Jongerius recreated two new darker tones: walnut and charcoal stain, adding depth and warmth to the collection. By introducing upholstery in more tactile fabrics, Jongerius updated the colour palette from the Aalto archives for a more diffused graphic aesthetic.