Artek Aalto chair 65, birch

Artek’s chair number 65 is one of the many dining chairs designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1930’s. Made of a single piece of birchwood veneer, the backrest is lower than usual as well as slightly curved, making the chair comfortable to sit on. Typical of Aalto furniture, the round seat is supported by four L-legs.

The L-leg structure is achieved by sawing a piece of straight, solid birch open at the end in the direction of the fibers, forming the shape of a fan. Thin pieces of plywood are then glued into the grooves. This structure makes it possible to bend the wood by heating or steaming the desired angle and, when completely dry, the strong structure can be attached directly to the seat.