Alvar ja Aino Aalto dining set

The extendable table designed by Aino Aalto and the Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto combine the seamlessly integrated L-leg, developed by Aalto, with Marimekko fabric. Thanks to their timeless design and classic character, these pieces stand out as eye-catchers in any space.

Alvar Aalto, together with carpenter Otto Korhonen, began experimenting with bending solid wood in the late 1920s. The collaboration resulted in an L-leg, which was an invention that took a step towards the mass production of Aalto’s furniture. Alvar Aalto patented the L-leg bending technique in 1933. L-leg became to be the standard component for Aalto’s furniture design and based on the invention also Y-leg and X-leg were later developed.

Aino Aalto

Alvar Aalto

Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Korhonen was founded in Turku, Finland in 1910. The furniture factory was founded by Finnish carpenters Otto Korhonen, Otto Suonperä, David Kinnunen and Fredrik Lundqvist. In addition to furniture, the HKT Korhonen also manufactured construction materials, such as window frames and doors.

The story of HKT Korhonen is deeply intertwined with Artek. Alvar Aalto’s architectural office began collaborating with the HKT Korhonen in the late 1920s and the factory started to manufacture Aalto’s furniture for various projects, such as Paimio Sanatorium. Simultaneously, Alvar Aalto also began experimenting with bending solid wood together with carpenter Otto Korhonen. The fruitful collaboration resulted in an L-leg which became to be the standard component for Aalto’s furniture design. 

The HKT Korhonen furniture factory was owned by the family Korhonen until 2014 when it was acquired by Artek. With the new ownership, the furniture factory was also given a new name; A-Factory. The majority of Artek furniture is still made at the factory in Kaarina, Finland.