Yrjö Kukkapuro – Early edition “Karuselli” loungechair & ottoman – Haimi, Finland circa 1970
Yrjö Kukkapuro – Early edition “Karuselli” loungechair & ottoman – Haimi, Finland circa 1970
Early version of this Iconic chair with matching ottoman. Original upholstery.
Kukkapuro began developing this fibreglass chair in the 1950s and, after years of experimentation, finally arrived at its final form in 1964.
It perfectly embodies Kukkapuro's commitment to ultimate seating comfort, seeking a harmonious combination of functionality, ergonomics and organic forms. In 1974, The New York Times proclaimed the "Karuselli" the most comfortable chair in the world.
The chair was carefully shaped to mimic the contours of the human body, creating an ergonomically sound and comfortable seating experience. The inspiration for the Karuselli seems to have come while playing outside, where the designer made snow chairs with his daughter.
The chair's base and shell are made of fibreglass. The shell is connected to the base with a chromed steel support. The foot of ottoman is made of cast aluminium. Both the chair and ottoman still have the original upholstery and come with the original labels.
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About Yrjö Kukkapuro
Yrjö Kukkapuro (1933 Viipuri, Finland – ) is a renowned contemporary Finnish designer and architect known worldwide for his pioneering contributions to modern furniture design.
After studying architecture at the University of Helsinki, Kukkapuro began his career as a designer in the early 1950s. His interest in creating furniture that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also embraced comfort and ergonomics soon became evident in his work. In the 1950s, he began developing fibreglass furniture, a path that led to his iconic Karuselli Lounge Chair.
The culmination of his creative work, the Karuselli, emerged from extensive experimental work and sculptural efforts over several years. The design, inspired by the human body, revolutionised the way people looked at chair designs and established his name as a visionary in the design world.
Kukkapuro’s contributions to the Finnish and international design community are numerous. His work combines functionality with artistic expression, striving for the perfect balance between form and function. Besides the Karuselli, he has a wide range of other furniture designs and architectural projects to his credit.
Throughout his career, Yrjö Kukkapuro has received numerous accolades for his contributions to design, including honorary doctorates and prestigious awards. His work has been exhibited in leading design museums around the world, and his influence on contemporary design continues to be felt.
Both chair and ottoman bear identical Haimi labels