Yrjö Kukkapuro’s Experiment lounge chair, originally designed in 1982, was out of production for nearly 30 years, but now this postmodern masterpiece is making its comeback! The re-release by Hem was created in collaboration with Yrjö Kukkapuro and Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom.
ONE OF FINLAND’S MOST ICONIC furniture designers, Yrjö Kukkapuro is celebrated for his forward-thinking creations. He’s particularly remembered for his expressive chairs – Karuselli, Remmi, Moderno, and many others – which have played a significant role in shaping the Finnish design landscape over the decades.
Among Kukkapuro’s internationally acclaimed works is the Experiment lounge chair, first introduced in 1982. Its striking design and vibrant details epitomize the postmodern style of the 1980s, a movement that rejected the rigid minimalism of modernism in favor of playful forms, bright colors, and an uninhibited blending of various styles and eras.
Now, with its relaunch in October 2024, the Experiment lounge chair is making its return to the world, thanks to Swedish brand Hem.
From Milan to the world
Known as a master of functionalism, Kukkapuro’s design philosophy has always been about balancing artistic expression with practicality. This is evident in the Experiment chair, which exudes both functional precision and boldly expressive, boundary-pushing playfulness.
When the Experiment lounge chairs were first unveiled at the Milan Furniture Fair in 1982, they quickly generated buzz and attracted media attention around the world. By 1984, Finnish company Avarte had begun production, and the chairs soon became recognized as postmodern design classics throughout the 1980s.
Kukkapuro himself has described the success of the 1982 Milan Fair as the greatest achievement of his long career. And his career has indeed seen many high points, from winning the 1966 Lunning Prize – the “Nobel Prize” of Scandinavian design – to receiving the Kaj Franck Prize in 1985, as well as having his work included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Now 91 years old, Kukkapuro still continues to work from his own studio in Finland.
• Read the story: Yrjö Kukkapuro’s studio is a source of limitless inspiration >
Crisp lines and playful details
Avarte stopped producing the Experiment chairs in 1995, and for almost three decades, the iconic pieces remained out of circulation. That is, until Hem decided to take on the challenge of reviving this 80s classic and bringing it back to the market.
Closely involved in the design process were Yrjö Kukkapuro himself and his daughter Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom, whose book, The Blue Door: Yrjö Kukkapuro Life & Work, was published just recently.
Hem and the Kukkapuros aimed to preserve the original spirit of the Experiment series while updating the chair’s comfort, proportions, and materials to meet today’s standards. Like the original version, the lounge chair features a chrome tubular frame with a wooden core, cushioned and upholstered in either leather or fabric.
The signature look is completed by wooden armrests in playful, wavy shapes. Depending on the model, the waves either subtly decorate the rectangular structure or flow along the entire length of the armrest. In addition to the original primary colors, each representing a natural element – red for fire, green for trees, and blue for lakes – a sleek new black armrest option has joined the mix. Did you already decide on your favorite?
Discover the chairs
See also:
• All products by Yrjö Kukkapuro >
• All products by Hem >
Text: Nora Uotila Images: Hem