Domus chair, lacquered birch - Prestige black

Artek's Domus chair was designed by Finnish interior architect and designer Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1946. The chair was designed for the Domus Academica student housing complex, located in Helsinki and drawn by architect Pauli Salomaa. The interior and furniture design of the complex was the first large-scale project for Ilmari Tapiovaara and his wife Annikki Tapiovaara.

Domus was designed to be a multifunctional chair that would meet the diverse needs of student housing. It served in the student rooms, hallways, auditoriums, and conference rooms as well as in the cafeteria. The Domus chair is a stackable, comfortable and ergonomic piece of furniture with an elegant, timeless design. Nowadays, manufactured by Artek, the chair has become a beloved classic of Finnish design.

This Domus chair features a frame crafted from lacquered birch, and the seat and the backrest are upholstered with leather. In 2026, Artek updated the surface treatment of the Domus chairs, replacing the previous paints and lacquers with more environmentally friendly, water-based alternatives. At the same time, the structure beneath the seat was subtly refined while the outward appearance remains familiar and just as charming as ever.

Ilmari Tapiovaara

Since its founding in 1935, Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek has stood at the intersection of Nordic design, architecture and art. By doing so, Artek has elevated Finnish design, along with Aino and Alvar Aalto's furniture, to global recognition.

Artek’s furniture and lighting are cornerstones of Finnish design, gracing numerous homes and public spaces worldwide. Even today, most of Artek's wooden furniture is crafted in Finland.