Aalto and functionalism

The young republic got a modern design in bent birch and pressed glass, with Alvar and Aino Aalto at its centre.

Together with the joiner Otto Korhonen, Alvar and Aino Aalto developed methods for bending and moulding birch. The Paimio armchair, stool No. 60 and the cantilevered armchair 406 became internationally known. Aino Aalto's Bölgeblick pressed-glass series of 1932 and Alvar's Savoy vase of 1936 were made by Karhula and later Iittala.

Artek was founded in 1935 by Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl to sell the furniture and spread modern culture. At Arabia artists began working in an art department from 1932.