Ilmari Tapiovaara

Yrjö Ilmari Tapiovaara (September 7, 1914 – January 31, 1999) was born in Finland to parents Kaarlo Tapiovaara and Aino Rainio. Tapiovaara graduated in 1937 as interior architect from the department of furniture design of the Central School of Arts and Crafts. Even before graduating, Tapiovaara went abroad to work for Alvar Aalto in Artek's London office in 1935. Right after completing his education Tapiovaara got a position as an assistant at the office of Le Corbusier in France. He had the chance to learn from international masters later in life too; in 1953 he got to work with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Chicago. 

All his international education influenced Tapiovaara’s work. He developed a unique aesthetic, which contributed significantly to the development of the Finnish modern aesthetic. Due to the influence of Alvar Aalto, and his admiration for the designer, Tapiovaara’s work became remarkable for the application of wood, the language of functionalism, and industrial production. In his projects, Tapiovaara always sought to create a human environment, well lighted and welcoming. The furniture designed by Tapiovaara has always been part of a whole, with architecture as a starting point. He was a pioneer in designing more affordable furniture with components that could be efficiently packed for overseas shipping and could easily be assembled after delivery. He had a strong sense of social responsibility and had a democratic approach to design, believing everyone should have access to affordable, good design. 

Tapiovaara worked for two of the major Finnish furniture companies: Asko from 1938-1941, and for Keravan Puuteolisuus from 1941-1951. Among his great projects were the interior design for the Domus Academy in 1947, and the Tech Student Village in 1951. Many of his early furniture and textile designs came from these offices. For instance, one of his most famous design, the "Domus" chair, was designed for the Academy as its name suggests too. Around 1950, he opened an office in Helsinki together with his wife, Annikki, who was also involved in furniture and industrial design herself. He believed that the use and structural conception of a piece should be understood at first sight, and this belief made him an ideal candidate for the design of public spaces. Besides furniture, Tapiovaara created graphic design and objects such as radios and cutlery. His textiles, often designed with his wife, were praised by critics as well. In a very Finnish manner, he preferred to enlarge his patterns instead of smaller, repetitive ones.

Tapiovaara’s work was exhibited and awarded widely. He won gold medals for his chairs at the Milan Triennials in 1951, 1954, 1957 and 1960 and received a Good Design award in Chicago in 1950. He also received the Finnish State Design award in 1971 and a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation in 1986. He worked as a professor in different institutes, both in Finland and abroad. Tapiovaara passed away in 1999, and is remembered as one of the most renowned Finnish furniture and textile designers. ~H.

Interesting Literature:

Svenskberg, Aila (ed.): Ilmari Tapiovaara: Life and Design. Translated by Jüri Kokkonen. Helsinki: Designmuseo, 2014.