Timeless – Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto
In our journey through the universe of timeless design, we land next in the realm of Finnish architect and designer, Alvar Aalto. Known for his profound contribution to functionalist design, Aalto’s Stool 60 represents a symphony of simplicity and functionality. Its elegance lies in the carefully considered fusion of aesthetics and practicality, setting a benchmark for design that continues to resonate today.
The genesis of the Stool 60 dates back to 1933, when Aalto set out to create a piece of furniture that could be mass-produced yet maintain a high level of artistry. He turned to the natural beauty and versatility of wood, crafting a design that combined the warmth and character of this timeless material with the functional demands of everyday use. His solution was a three-legged stool, simple yet deeply innovative, with a circular seat and bentwood legs – a design so understated that it concealed the groundbreaking manufacturing process behind its creation.
Aalto’s design was more than a mere aesthetic choice; it was an ingenious response to a technical challenge. He developed a technique to bend solid wood — a method that had been largely unexplored in furniture manufacturing at the time. This innovative approach enabled Aalto to achieve the rounded forms and flowing lines that have since become a signature element of his work. The process involved cutting slits into birchwood and bending it under heated pressure, a technique that allowed for greater flexibility in shaping the wood and contributed to the stool’s stability and resilience.
The Stool 60’s design, grounded in Aalto’s vision of a “good object” — defined by beauty, functionality, and affordability — was revolutionary for its time. Today, it remains an epitome of timeless design. The stool’s humble elegance, the way it marries form and function, and its enduring relevance in contemporary settings underscore its status as a design classic.
Moreover, the Stool 60’s versatility extends beyond its functionality. Whether used as seating, a side table, or even a display surface, this design classic adapts seamlessly to varying needs and spaces. Aalto’s commitment to creating versatile, human-centric designs is reflected in the stool’s flexible functionality, proving that good design considers not just the aesthetic but also the user’s evolving needs.
In the Stool 60, Alvar Aalto combined traditional craftsmanship with innovative manufacturing techniques to create a piece that transcends time and trend. A testament to the power of simplicity, the stool stands as a beacon of functionalist design and a timeless tribute to Aalto’s vision and ingenuity. As we continue to explore the enduring classics in our TIMELESS series, we invite you to revisit other remarkable stories of design and craftsmanship on our blog. Dive in, and let the journey through design history inspire and enrich your understanding of these cherished objects.