Armchair 42

Armchair 42 is an armchair from the Finnish brand Artek. The model was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932 for the Paimio Sanatorium and is also called “Small Paimio”. 

It is based on a construction where a frame of laminated birch is formed into a cantilevered armchair, while the seat and back are made from a continuous piece of molded plywood. The construction lacks straight lines and allows the curved shapes of the wood to define both expression and function. The armrests are made from a single piece of wood that is then divided into two parts. This method means that both sides change in the same way as the wood ages and helps the armchair maintain its balance over time. The continuous seat and back create a flexible sitting position, while the cantilevered frame gives the chair its characteristic structure.