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’.
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.
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