Artek was founded in Helsinki in December 1935 by four young idealists: architects Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) and Aino Aalto (1894–1949), art collector and promoter Maire Gullichsen, and art historian and critic Nils-Gustav Hahl (first managing director until his death in 1941). The name is a deliberate portmanteau of "art" and "technology" — in the tradition of Walter Gropius's modernist motto "art and technology — a new unity." The founders' stated purpose: "to sell furniture and to promote a modern culture of living by exhibitions and other educational means." Since September 2013, Artek has been part of the Vitra Group (Switzerland); the company continues to operate as an independent entity. Production is concentrated mainly at a-factory (formerly Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy) in Littoinen/Turku, Finland, where specialised carpenters still hand-process birch veneer, birch plywood, glulam and lacquers.
The range consists primarily of Alvar Aalto's designs — a modular system of standardised components (L-leg, Y-leg, X-leg, each patented) developed consistently since 1935 and now spanning over 50 products. Icons: Stool 60 (1933, over 1.5 million units sold, infinitely stackable), Paimio Armchair (1932, MoMA permanent collection, Finnish Design Museum), Tea Trolley 900 (1936), Aalto tables, Chairs 69/66/65, Armchairs 41/42 Paimio, A-series floor and pendant lamps. Contemporary design collaborations: Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec (Kaari shelving and table system), Shigeru Ban, Naoto Fukasawa, and Ilmari Tapiovaara (historical heritage). Special programme: Artek 2nd Cycle (since 2006) — purchase, restoration and resale of pre-owned Artek furniture. 90th anniversary in 2025.
For architects, contract specialists and hospitality planners worldwide, Artek is the icon of Finnish modernism — with a timeless programme combining mass production and handcraft, scalable from the school canteen to the five-star hotel.