Forest Collection – celebrating natural variations in wood by Artek and design studio Formafantasma

Forest Collection – celebrating natural variations in wood

The Forest Collection introduces a new “wild birch” wood selection developed by Artek and design studio Formafantasma. Classic Aalto furniture pieces are made using more of the tree, embracing the natural variations that occur in birch wood—such as knots, insect trails and colour fluctuations. Some of the most-loved Artek products, including Stool 60, Chair 66, Chair 69 and a selection of Aalto Tables and Aalto Benches, have been selected to ensure the greatest positive impact on material selection processes. The launch of the Forest Collection continues Artek’s mission to spread awareness of the impact of climate change and industrialised forestry, create forest-borne products that last for generations, and lead to responsible material selection becoming an industry standard.

 


Aalto Table, wild birch, Design Alvar Aalto 1933
Art direction: Linda Bergroth
Photography: Carl Bergman

 

Birchwood from Finnish Forests

Since its inception in 1935, Artek has prioritised using local, responsibly sourced Finnish birch. All Forest Collection products are made in Artek’s own factory in Turku, Finland. All birchwood used comes from the same sustainably-managed forest area in Central Finland, within a 200km radius of the sawmill that treats the wood.

Formafantasma’s Cambio exhibition, which explores the extraction, production and distribution of wood products, was initially commissioned by London’s Serpentine Galleries in 2020. Later that year, Artek invited the Milanese design studio to look into the changing conditions of the Finnish forest through the lens of Artek’s supply chain. Based on their mutual interest and shared values, Artek and Formafantasma subsequently initiated a series of joint advocacy projects to translate Cambio’s ideologies through the filter of Artek’s supply chain.

The first was an extension of the Cambio exhibition that examined the role of Finnish Forestry, held at Designmuseo Helsinki in 2022. This was followed by the introduction of Stool 60 Villi which debuted the “wild birch” wood selection in 2023. The Forest Collection is the natural continuation of the collaboration, developed according to the framework laid out by the research project conducted by Artek and Formafantasma. The collection was first presented at Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2024, where Formafantasma was the fair’s Guest of Honour. This wider selection of products is now being made available for purchase for the first time.

 

 

A New Aesthetic of Sustainability

As these products are introduced into public spaces and restaurants, or the homes of conscious consumers, people’s expectations of entirely uniform wood products will be replaced by a new aesthetic of sustainability. This means that the inherent natural variations in wood are not only accepted but become the prevailing standard.

The new aesthetic of sustainability is not one that is confined to Artek, periodic trends or the Finnish forest. The hope and expectation is that these products will inspire a regained appreciation for the beauty of imperfection in natural materials and lead to an industry standard emerging in coming years—one that reaches beyond responsible wood management and into all aspects of design.

More design from Artek:

The Return of Armchair 45 design by Alvar Aalto – Artek

Photography by Mikko Ryhänen, 2024 Armchair 45 returns to the collection this autumn to complement …

Forest Collection – celebrating natural variations in wood by Artek and design studio Formafantasma

Forest Collection – celebrating natural variations in wood The Forest Collection, featuring a new “wild …

Artek and Paul Smith present a new collection of reimagined Aalto pieces

Connected by a shared commitment to innovation, enduring quality and human-centric design, Paul Smith and …

Aalto Benches now available in two larger new sizes and with new seat options – Artek

Aalto Benches are functional and versatile, equally at home in the public and private spheres. …

The Aalto foldable table returns to Artek, crafted for compact living

New in: the Aalto foldable table Crafted for compact living, the Aalto foldable table extends …

Formafantasma’s Reading Room at Stockholm Furniture Fair previews Artek’s upcoming Forest Collection

Wild birch, Artek’s wider and more responsible wood selection, will be applied to a collection …

Artek presents Tiili, a new collection of extruded ceramic objects

Designer and maker Xavier Mañosa combines expert handicraft with industrial production. Tiili (‘brick’ in Finnish) …

Friendly alterations: ‘Hackability of the Stool’ by Daisuke Motogi – Artek

Friendly alterations: ‘Hackability of the Stool’ by Daisuke Motogi Artek partners with the Japanese architect …

Artek and Formafantasma introduce a new aesthetic of sustainability with “wild birch”

Stool 60 Villi is the first product to emerge from the collaboration, launching on the …

Discover Stool 60 Loimu: Limited by Nature design by Alvar Aalto – Artek

Stool 60 Loimu (flame, in English) is produced from an exceptionally rare birch variant distinguished …

The Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection design by Alvar Aalto – Artek

Artek launches celebratory collection to commemorate 90 years since the Paimio Sanatorium’s opening.     …

The anniversary edition of Armchair 41 by Alvar Aalto is made from beautifully oiled birch wood – Artek

Artek’s Armchair 41, also known as the Paimio chair, is one of the most beautiful …

Exhibition 11 May – 15 September 2023 by Artek 2nd Cycle to Celebrate 90 Years of Stool 60

Rare pieces from the 1930s until today are on view at Artek 2nd Cycle in …

Artek’s Stool 60 celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2023 — an extraordinary milestone for a humble wooden stool

90 Years of Stool 60 Born of modernist ideals and Finnish innovation, its great legacy …

Artek introduces the new lighting collection Kori designed by TAF Studio

Kori Collection by TAF Studio Artek introduces the new lighting collection Kori, designed by Stockholm-based …

W.W. Artek – Celebrating Wood Wood’s 20th anniversary

Artek and Wood Wood, the Danish contemporary streetwear brand, have come together to create three …

Artek + Heath – Connecting Craft in Wood and Clay

Beauty, utility, integrity, longevity – these principles guide both Artek and California based Heath Ceramics. …

TEN: 10 years, 10 stories, 10 products – A selling exhibition at Artek 2nd Cycle

Artek 2nd Cycle is Artek’s platform for pre-loved Finnish design: it buys and sells rediscovered …

From the Pacific to the Baltic: an Artek + Heath collaboration

Two companies with a shared passion for craftsmanship and beauty reimagine an Artek classic. Artek …

The Standard – Presenting ICA × Artek × Fischli/Weiss

Artek has once again teamed up with London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts, ICA, to produce …

Artek wins first ever German Sustainability Award for Design

Alvar Aalto’s iconic Stool 60 is recognised in the Icons category Artek is proud to …

The quest for a universal wooden chair – Artek meets Pekka Korvenmaa

  Artek meets Pekka Korvenmaa to discuss the inventiveness of Ilmari Tapiovaara and the designer’s …

The furniture donation made it possible to create Artek´s 1940s interior for the Alvar Aalto Museum

The furniture donation from the Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation made it possible to …

Tupla Wall Hook by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec – Artek

Tupla Wall Hook Designer: Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Year: 2020 A hook is a storage …

Rope Chair by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec – Artek

More like a silhouette than a solid block, the Rope Chair is a line drawing …

The thoughts behind Artek’s stand designed by Shideh Shaygan

Shideh Shaygan: – For Artek’s stand at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2020 I wanted to …

Chair 611, The Staying Power of a Modern Icon – Artek

In Helsinki, an upholsterer breathes new life into a set of iconic Alvar Aalto chairs …

Kiulu Bench – from bathhouse to sauna, and beyond – Artek

Kiulu Bench – from bathhouse to sauna, and beyond Koichi Futatsumata celebrates the public bathing cultures …

Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60 wins 2019 Long Life Design Award

Artek is proud to announce that Alvar Aalto’s iconic Stool 60 has been awarded the …

Artek Helsinki hosts FIN/JPN Friendship Exhibition

Artek Helsinki hosts FIN/JPN Friendship Exhibition

Two cultures meet at Artek Helsinki when the FIN/JPN Friendship Collection premieres in Finland Artek’s …

Sulava Tumblers – artek 2nd cycle @ The Glass of 2018

Artek 2nd cycle hosted The Glass of 2018 -exhibition earlier this year. The exhibition showcased …

Nationalmuseum in Stockholm reopens showing Atelier Chair by TAF Studio

Atelier Chair by TAF Studio – Artek

Nationalmuseum in Stockholm reopens showing Atelier Chair by TAF Studio A collaboration of Swedish design …

Kindred Spirits – Artek + Heath Ceramics Collaboration

Kindred Spirits – Artek + Heath Ceramics Collaboration

California and Finland collide in an exclusive collection Two companies with a shared passion for …

Gotta Serve Somebody, 6 – 29 September 2018

Gotta Serve Somebody, 6 – 29 September 2018

Notko, design Hemmo Honkonen. Photo: Chikako Harada Artek, Forbo Linoleum and Aalto University present designs …

New Artek Oy office in Helsinki

New Artek Oy office in Helsinki

Artek Oy has moved its headquarters to new premises in central Helsinki. Situated in an …

Artek at Salone del Mobile 2018

Artek at Salone del Mobile 2018

10m² with Artek: how big is small? At Salone del Mobile 2018 Artek is asking …

Aalto in Paris

Aalto in Paris

Artek & The Conran Shop – a revived partnership While Alvar Aalto’s architecture and designs …

35m²: Living + Working with Artek offers a home for both living and working

35m²: Living + Working with Artek offers a home for both living and working

  Artek classic and contemporary items come together to demonstrate that even spaces of limited …

Stool 60 duos for a good cause – artek

Stool 60 duos for a good cause – artek

50 artistic interpretations of Stool 60 contributing to a better world Founded in 1991, La …

Artek and BLESS create BLESS N°60

Artek and BLESS create BLESS N°60

Artek and BLESS create BLESS N°60 Lobby Conquerors for the Chicago Architecture Biennial Artek and …

124° – Artek

124° – Artek

The 124° wall-mounted mirrors have an unmistakable sculptural quality. Two faces are placed 124 degrees …

Kiila by Daniel Rybakken – Artek

Kiila by Daniel Rybakken – Artek

For Rybakken, the challenge was to create objects that could exist in harmony with the …

The Making of Stool 60 – Artek

The stackable stool 60 created in 1933 by Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) represents the quintessence of …

Artek @ Design Miami/ Basel 2016

Artek and Kvadrat collaborate with Kuehn Malvezzi to design the Collectors Lounge at Design Miami/ …

Artek in Residence at PLY

Artek and the Hamburg interior studio PLY have joined forces to create the new retail …

Artek and the Aaltos: Creating a Modern World

Artek and the Aaltos: Creating a Modern World

On View April 22-September 25, 2016 Artek and the Aaltos: Creating a Modern World is …

Domus Chairs – Artek

Domus Chairs design Ilmari Tapiovaara 1946 – Artek

Domus Chair & Domus Lounge Chair Design Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1946 “A chair is not just …

A documentary film about Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914–1999)

A documentary film about Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914–1999) DVD Length: 12 minutes Artek Production 2012 Send …

Kiki Collection – Artek

Kiki Collection – Artek

The Kiki Collection Design Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1960 Designing not for the few, but for the …

Artek celebrates 80 years

Artek celebrates 80 years

Artek celebrates 80 years by hosting Artek Talks in Helsinki on 16 October 2015 On …

Outline collection – Artek

Outline collection – Artek

Artek presents a new stationery collection at Maison & Objet At Maison & Objet Paris …

Kaari collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec – Artek

Artek premieres Kaari Collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015 Artek …

Rival chair design by Konstantin Grcic – Artek

At imm cologne 2015, Artek presents Rival, the result of the first collaboration between Konstantin …

Grcic Jongerius and Kukkapuro – a celebration of the chair

Grcic, Jongerius and Kukkapuro – a celebration of the chair

Artek at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2014 Grcic, Jongerius and Kukkapuro – a celebration of …

Karuselli – Artek

Karuselli lounge chair by Yrjö Kukkapuro – Artek

Artek will kick off 2014 with the 50th anniversary of the Karuselli lounge chair, a …

Union of Ergonomics and Art – Artek at imm cologne 2014

Union of Ergonomics and Art – Artek at imm cologne 2014

Artek will kick off 2014 with the 50th anniversary of the Karuselli lounge chair, a …

Vitra acquired the Finnish company Artek

Vitra acquired the Finnish company Artek

Artek and Vitra: a partnership built on affinity On September 6, 2013 Vitra acquired the …

Yrjö Kukkapuro and Artek have concluded a partnership agreement

The work of Finnish interior architect and furniture designer Yrjö Kukkapuro will get a new …

Lento Lounge chair – received the 2012 GOOD DESIGN™ design by Harri Koskinen

The Lento Lounge easy chair has received the 2012 GOOD DESIGN™ Award and the Interior …

Artek celebrates Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60 on its 80th anniversary by launching special editions

This year Artek celebrates Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60 on its 80th anniversary by launching special …

A documentary film about Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999)

WHITE collection design by Ville Kokkonen – Artek

White, a new collection of lighting. Created by Artek’s Design Director, Ville Kokkonen, White offers …