Iconic Designs

Hallway ArmchairBy Alvar Aalto

About the Design

While it has since been coveted by collectors for use in nearly any room in the house, the chair was originally part of the furnishings for the Paimio Sanatorium — a facility that treated tuberculosis patients, tucked away in a dense pine forest in the rural Finnish city of Paimio.

The Aaltos secured the commission to design the sanatorium as well as its furniture, washbasins, clocks and more as a result of winning an architecture competition. Like the other designs on the sanatorium grounds, the Hallway chair’s most prominent attributes — its sturdy simplicity and easily stackable frame — represent Alvar Aalto’s pursuit of humanizing objects through the optimization of both form and function.

Although the couple had no previous experience in designing a hospital, the Aaltos were careful to select colors and materials that would play a role in establishing a comforting, healing environment but also serve specific purposes. The Hallway armchair’s frame is made of solid birchwood, a material favored by Finnish designers, and the seat shell is pressed birch veneer finished with clear lacquer. Its lacquer coating was chosen for its hygienic quality, as it could be easily wiped clean — an essential quality in any hospital, but in the case of battling a very contagious respiratory disease, such considerations were critical.

From light fixtures and colors of the balcony rails to the innovative and sculptural Paimio armchair, the Aaltos’ work at the facility aligned with Alvar’s principle of functionalism, which has now come to be known as “organic modernism.” He concerned himself with the relationship between design and the physical and cultural landscape it occupied. The sanatorium’s furniture was warm and unadorned, and the space itself offered a wealth of common areas and welcomed copious sunlight (early TB treatment prioritized fresh air and sunshine).

The Hallway chair was manufactured by Finmar and garnered acclaim and attention around the world, with the Museum of Modern Art featuring it in a show titled “Alvar Aalto: Architecture and Furniture” in 1938.

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair

11 Results

Alvar Aalto, 1930s chair 403, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab

$2,185Sale Price|25% Off

Alvar Aalto, 1930s chair 403, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab

By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy

Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi

Embrace the essence of Scandinavian design with the Alvar Aalto, 1930s Chair 403. This piece is a blend of functional elegance and timeless craftsmanship. Produced by Oy Huonekalu- j...

Category

Early 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Early Model 51/403 Hallway Armchair, Alvar Aalto, 1930s

$4,953

Early Model 51/403 Hallway Armchair, Alvar Aalto, 1930s

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa

Early model 51/403 hallway chair, design Alvar Aalto, 1930s. Later painted birch frame. In the pictures you can see the original dusty rose color paint peeking through. Good vintage ...

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch, Paint

Early Finnish Mid Century Wooden "No 51 / Hallway" Armchair by Alvar Aalto 1930s

$8,741

Early Finnish Mid Century Wooden "No 51 / Hallway" Armchair by Alvar Aalto 1930s

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Stockholm, SE

A very rare and early Finnish mid century wooden "No 51 / Hallway" armchair in form pressed laminated plywood and birch by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland in 1932. ...

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair Model 403 in Birch & Yellow, Artek 2008

$1,981

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair Model 403 in Birch & Yellow, Artek 2008

By Alvar Aalto, Artek

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chair, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. This example was manuf...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair Model 403 in Birch & Orange, Artek 2008

$1,981

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair Model 403 in Birch & Orange, Artek 2008

By Alvar Aalto, Artek

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chair, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. This example was manuf...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Vintage Upholstered Hallway Chairs 54/404 by Alvar Aalto, Circa 1950s

$1,629 / set

Pair of Vintage Upholstered Hallway Chairs 54/404 by Alvar Aalto, Circa 1950s

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Surrey, GB

A stunning pair of stackable Alvar Aalto chair 54/404, a padded variant of hallway chair 403 designed in 1932. Very good vintage condition. Dimen...

Category

20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Pair of Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchairs Model 403 in Birch & Yellow, Artek 2008

$3,962 / set

Pair of Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchairs Model 403 in Birch & Yellow, Artek 2008

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful pair of Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chairs, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. These example...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchairs Model 403 in Birch & Orange, Artek 2008

$3,962 / set

Pair of Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchairs Model 403 in Birch & Orange, Artek 2008

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful pair of Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chairs, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. These example...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

30's alvar aalto 403 hallway chair painted white

$2,400Sale Price|20% Off

30's alvar aalto 403 hallway chair painted white

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Tomi, Nagano

The early 403 was characterized by making the best use of the flexibility of the pre-wood, without the bearing surface on the cross. This is an individual that has been painted in...

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair model 403 painted Birch and plywood, Artek

$4,312

Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair model 403 painted Birch and plywood, Artek

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Kiiminki, FI

Beautiful mid-century Alvar Aalto hallway chair model 403 designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, manufactured by Artek 1950s. This chair hav...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Alvar Aalto Hallway Chairs model 54 by Artek in 1940s

$2,995 / set

Alvar Aalto Hallway Chairs model 54 by Artek in 1940s

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Espoo, FI

Artek armchair, model 54, "Hallway chair", 2 pcs. Desingned by Alvar Aalto. Birch frame with original red fabric upholstery attached with nails. Upholstery intact. Wooden parts in go...

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Alvar Aalto War Time Chairs With Finger Joints Model 69, Artek 1940s

$3,543 / set

H 28.35 in W 16.93 in D 15.75 in

Pair of Alvar Aalto War Time Chairs With Finger Joints Model 69, Artek 1940s

By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Helsinki, FI

A rare pair of Alvar Aalto model 69 chairs, manufactured during the 2nd World War years in Finland in the 1940s. The iconic L-leg is different in these pieces compared to the normal....

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Alvar Aalto Armchairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's

$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 31.5 in W 24 in D 25.5 in

Alvar Aalto Armchairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Austin, TX

Model 45 armchairs, designed in 1947 by Alvar Aalto and manufactured later by Artek. Beech frames and woven black nylon seat and back make a comfortable and sought after combination ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Beech

Stool model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s

$1,340

H 17.33 in Dm 13.78 in

Stool model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s

By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab

Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa

Stool model 60 designed by Alvar Aalto for Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab from the 1930s. Birch. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. Iconic Al...

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Stools

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Armchair 41 "Paimio" by Artek, 1970s

$6,993

H 25.2 in W 23.63 in D 31.5 in

Alvar Aalto Armchair 41 "Paimio" by Artek, 1970s

By Artek

Located in Stockholm, SE

Produced late 1970s by Artek. Excellent condition, no signs of usage. Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932, Armchair 41 was created for the interior of a tuberc...

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Model 402 Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940/50s

$4,079

H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 27.96 in

Model 402 Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940/50s

By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab

Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa

Model 402 armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940/1950s. Birch frame with wool fabric upholstery. Good vintage condition, heavy...

Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Birch

Alvar Aalto Artek Chair 69 Pair Finland 1950s Vintage Original

$1,002 / set

H 29.14 in W 16.93 in D 18.12 in

Alvar Aalto Artek Chair 69 Pair Finland 1950s Vintage Original

By Alvar Aalto, Artek

Located in Espoo, FI

Artek 69 chairs 2 pcs, birch. The chairs are from around the 1950s. Wear consistent with age. Designer Alvar Aalto. The chairs are sold as a pair, the price includes two chairs.

Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Vintage Chair 65 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finsven, 1940-50s

$980

H 26 in W 13.75 in D 15.75 in

Vintage Chair 65 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finsven, 1940-50s

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Centreville, VA

Clean lines and a simple structure define the design of Chair 65. A low, rectangular backrest is formed from a single piece of birch plywood and has a slight curve that forms natur...

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Early Alvar Aalto 'Hallway' Chair 'Model 403' for Finmar

$3,800

H 30.5 in W 21 in D 25.5 in

Early Alvar Aalto 'Hallway' Chair 'Model 403' for Finmar

By Finmar, Alvar Aalto

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Finmar Model 403 'Hallway' chair designed by Alvar Aalto and produced from 1930 through 1950 in Finland. The chair features a honey toned birch wood with bent plywood seat and backre...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Pair of Rare E66 Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland

$2,237Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 31.11 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in

Pair of Rare E66 Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland

By Alvar Aalto, Artek

Located in Karis, Nyland

A rare pair of Alvar Aalto model E66 chairs, designed in 1930s. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. The chairs are sold as a set. We can dismantle the chairs...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch, Bentwood

Pair of Alvar Aalto 'Hallway Chairs' Model 403, Artek c.1950

$2,376 / set

H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 24.41 in

Pair of Alvar Aalto 'Hallway Chairs' Model 403, Artek c.1950

By Alvar Aalto

Located in London, GB

A classic and quietly sculptural design, formed from bent birch plywood with solid birch armrests, reflecting Aalto’s approach to natural materials and organic form. Originally made ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Paded Cantilever Armchair Model 43, Artek 1940s

$7,459

H 293.71 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in

Alvar Aalto Paded Cantilever Armchair Model 43, Artek 1940s

By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto, Artek

Located in Helsinki, FI

An early padded Spring chair model 43 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek and manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyömaa from the 1940s. This chair is one of the most recognizable pi...

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Alvar Aalto 68 style bentwood chair from the 1960s

$1,515

H 27.96 in W 17.13 in D 18.12 in

Alvar Aalto 68 style bentwood chair from the 1960s

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

1960s chair in the style of Alvar Aalto's Model 66. Thermoformed wood frame. Advanced vintage condition, with numerous signs of age and use: chips, dents in the wood, scratches (see ...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items

Early Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair in Red Lacquer Finish

Sold

H 31 in W 17 in D 16 in

Early Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair in Red Lacquer Finish

By Alvar Aalto, Finmar

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A striking Model 403 Hallway Chair in red lacquer finish, designed by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanitorium, later issued by Finmar. The armchair sho...

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto, c.1950's Hallway chair model 402, for Paimio Sanatorium

Sold

H 29.93 in W 21.26 in D 25.6 in

Alvar Aalto, c.1950's Hallway chair model 402, for Paimio Sanatorium

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi

Introducing the Alvar Aalto Hallway Chair Model 402 from circa 1950's, a vintage gem that exudes timeless elegance. Originally designed for the Pai...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

Alvar & Aino Aalto Birch “Hallway” Chair for Finsven, 1947

Sold

H 30.25 in W 21.25 in D 24 in

Alvar & Aino Aalto Birch “Hallway” Chair for Finsven, 1947

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Coronado, CA

Alvar and Aino Aalto's furniture reemerged from post war Europe on February 11, 1947 with the grand opening of Finsven, an importer with a small showroom at 925 Madison Ave, New York. This "Hallway Chair...

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Birch

Aalvo Aalto for Artek Hallway Chair Model 403

Sold

H 30 in W 21.25 in D 27.5 in

Aalvo Aalto for Artek Hallway Chair Model 403

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Aalvo Aalto for Artek Hallway chair Model 403 in it's original brown vinyl covering. Chair retains it's original label to underside.

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Alvar Aalto Early Armchairs Model 403 Produced by Artek in Finland

Sold

H 30.32 in W 20.87 in D 25.6 in

Alvar Aalto Early Armchairs Model 403 Produced by Artek in Finland

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare pair of armchairs model 403 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Artek in Finland.

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch, Paint

Early Finmar Production Alvar Aalto 403 “Hallway” Chair

Sold

H 30.32 in W 21.26 in D 21.26 in

Early Finmar Production Alvar Aalto 403 “Hallway” Chair

By Finmar, Alvar Aalto

Located in London, GB

An early production of one of Aalto’s classic designs. A classic piece of Scandinavian modernism, the Hallway chair was originally made for the Paimio Sa...

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Pair of Alvar Aalto 403 Hallway Chairs by Finmar Ltd

Sold

H 31.89 in W 20.48 in D 23.63 in

Pair of Alvar Aalto 403 Hallway Chairs by Finmar Ltd

By Finmar, Alvar Aalto

Located in Madrid, ES

Pair of Scandinavian Modern 403 "Hallway" chairs with solid birch armrests and plywood seats designed by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto in 1932. Produced by Finmar Ltd...

Category

20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Bentwood Modern Lounge Chairs Designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1940s

Sold

H 29.5 in W 21.25 in D 23 in

Pair of Bentwood Modern Lounge Chairs Designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1940s

By Alvar Aalto

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of bentwood modern lounge chairs, designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1940s. They have been refinished and are ready to use.

Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Birch

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Number Available

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A classic modernist masterpiece conceived by Finnish architects and designers Alvar and Aino Aalto (1898–1976; 1894–1949) in 1932, the Hallway armchair is lightweight, slender and perhaps above all, comfortable. While it has since been coveted by collectors for use in nearly any room in the house, the chair was originally part of the furnishings for the Paimio Sanatorium — a facility that treated tuberculosis patients, tucked away in a dense pine forest in the rural Finnish city of Paimio. Th...

Shop All