Ilmari Tapiovaara

Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) was one of the greatest interior architects and designers of his era. He is often said to have captured the essence of Finnish identity, creating iconic objects that are still highly regarded today. After graduating in Furniture Design from the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki in 1937, he worked as an assistant in Le Corbusier's studio in Paris. He later became an art director and designer at Asko Oy, then one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Finland. Throughout his career, Tapiovaara pushed the boundaries of traditional design, dedicating himself to projects that ranged from wood sculptures to graphics, from movie posters to kitchen accessories, to a portable grill. With the mind of an explorer and the soul of a craftsman, he always looked for new solutions to improve everyday objects.