Alvar Aalto began designing furnishings as early as the 1920's. They were a natural and important extension of his architectural thinking. To Aalto, a piece of furniture was not simply an isolated object in space. He was a comprehensive artist in the architectural and design fields who focused his attention on even the smallest of details. Artek was established in 1935 to market his furniture, lamps and fabrics. A long tradition as a manufacturer of outstanding articles for daily use has made Artek an internationally known and recognised quality design brand. Aalto's beautiful and functional furniture is still very popular around the world in spite of changing styles. His most important designs include the 60 stool, 44 armchair, the 41 Paimio armchair and the Aalto vase. Aram Store stocks a wide range of Aalto’s designs.

Artek was founded in 1935 by four young idealists - Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. The business idea of the company was “to sell furniture and to promote a modern culture of habitation by exhibitions and other educational means.” The core of the Artek product range consists of Alvar Aalto’s furniture and lighting pieces but they also continue to work in close collaboration with prominent international architects, designers and artists, such as Eero Aarnio, Shigeru Ban, Naoto Fukasawa, Harri Koskinen, Juha Leiviskä, Enzo Mari and Tobias Rehberger. While valuing traditions, Artek has at the same time entered a new era. Combining the ideology of the radical founders and a contemporary and dynamic approach to product development, the company is more art and tech than ever.