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Nikari Celebrates 50 Years

At the recent 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, Finnish furniture company Nikari celebrated its 50 year anniversary with ’50 Years of Stories’.

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Finnish furniture company Nikari is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Specialising in sustainable wood design products since 1967, it was founded by master cabinet maker Kari Virtanen. Historically it has worked with the likes of Alvar Aalto and Kaj Franck. In recent years, the likes of Martí Guixé, Alfredo Häberli, Jasper Morrison and Tomoshi Nagano have all applied their  flair to Nikari’s unique approach to wood, which focuses on enhancing the ecological benefits of the material using oil, wax and soap surface treatments.

During 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, from June 1 to 3, Nikari exhibited at Design Werck. A curated meeting point and showroom for contemporary Danish and Scandinavian design, Design Werck features some 30 design brands. With a vibrant programme of presentations and discussions, alongside a wine bar and design shop, the renovated naval building was a hub of activity.

Intending to extend its anniversary celebrations throughout the year, Nikari has also launched ‘50 Years of Stories’ through its newsletter. For instance, readers learn that since the 1990s, when Nikari relocated to the Fiskars village, it has worked out of the oldest machinery workshop in Finland, built in 1837. A significant centre for the Finnish metal industry, Fiskars was in the process of transitioning to a community of artists, designers and craftsmen at the time.

Virtanen’s strategic relocation was not only a significant boost for the community, but also soon transpired in the significant collaboration with Swiss-born cabinet maker and designer Rudi Merz. This collaboration resulted in more efficient structural and material processes, which have resulted in the timeless durability that Nikari has become renowned for.

Linea RMT6 chair by Rudi Merz, ash finished with natural oil
Linea RMT6 chair by Rudi Merz, ash finished with natural oil
Café Classic RMJ1-2-3 Stool by Rudi Merz in 1999, ash finished with natural oil or black stain
Café Classic RMJ1-2-3 Stool by Rudi Merz in 1999, ash finished with natural oil or black stain
July Small Table or Stool by Nao Tamura, elm and oak finished with natural oil
July Small Table or Stool by Nao Tamura, elm and oak finished with natural oil
December XL Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Jasper Morrison and Wataru Kumano in 2016, ash or oak and canvas or leather finished with natural oil
December XL Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Jasper Morrison and Wataru Kumano in 2016, ash or oak and canvas or leather finished with natural oil
Arte Alvar Tray by Alvar Aalto, birch and white laminate finished with natural oil
Arte Alvar Tray by Alvar Aalto, birch and white laminate finished with natural oil
Skandinavia Edi Table by Claesson Koivisto Rune Architects in 2015, ash and oak finished with natural oil
Skandinavia Edi Table by Claesson Koivisto Rune Architects in 2015, ash and oak finished with natural oil
Linea RMT3 chair by Rudi Merz, ash finished with natural oil
Linea RMT3 chair by Rudi Merz, ash finished with natural oil
October Chair by Samuli Naamanka in 2015, birch and molded birch plywood finished with waterbased lacquer
October Chair by Samuli Naamanka in 2015, birch and molded birch plywood finished with waterbased lacquer
April Tables by Alfredo Häberli, ash, oak and birch finished with natural oil
April Tables by Alfredo Häberli, ash, oak and birch finished with natural oil
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