Created in 1932, the Paimio armchair, or Armchair 41, was intended to help people breathe easier. Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) — in collaboration with his first wife, Aino — designed a tuberculosis sanatorium and all of the facility’s furnishings, including the armchair, in the Finnish city of Paimio, after winning the commission in an architecture competition.
During the mid-to-late 1920s, Aalto was working with bentwood processes and producing resilient, easily storable furniture that could be tucked away when not in use. His pioneering efforts yielded malleable wood for shaping the material into sculptural furniture — stackable seating defined by sleek curved contours, such as the Stool 60 or the Paimio armchair, a masterpiece for which the Aaltos are widely known.
Paimio Sanatorium was constructed with functionalism in mind. The building and its furnishings were designed to house patients suffering from tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that primarily attacks the lungs. At the time (this was prior to the use of antibiotics), sanatorium staffers were focused on getting the afflicted outside in the sunshine and fresh air. As tuberculosis was considerably contagious and is spread from coughing and sneezing, the surfaces in the Aaltos' building had to be easily disinfected and aired-out. These concerns extended to the design of the Paimio armchair.
For the chair’s frame, the couple opted to use Finland’s native birchwood, which is strong and inexpensive and felt warmer and more organic than the tubular steel found in similarly shaped pieces, like the Wassily chair designed by Marcel Breuer.
The laminated wood loops to form the arms, legs and a pair of flat skids while its sculptural seat and back, built from a single piece of thin plywood, look as if they are suspended and are angled to support ailing sitters in their efforts to breathe.
An integral part of the revolutionary building, the Aaltos' Paimio armchair earned the couple acclaim as furniture makers. Branded “the first soft wooden chair,” the project inspired countless other designers, among them Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames, in its simplicity and striking form.
Artek, which the Aaltos helped cofound, currently manufactures and distributes Alvar and Aino's wood furniture designs, including many light fixtures and furniture from the Paimio Sanatorium.
Alvar Aalto, rare collectable chair model 31 / 'Paimio', 1930/40s.
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare sculptural and collectable armchair model No. 31 / Paimo by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy Turku, produced during the 1930/40s. Steam bent plywood ...
Beech
Alvar Aalto Paimio Chair 41
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Paimio armchair 41 by Alvar Alto for Artek, Finland, in natural birch wood with black bentwood seat with venting slots. The laminated birch frame is bent into a closed curve...
Birch
Rare Armchair 'Small Paimio' Model 42 Designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1932
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare armchair 'Small Paimio' model 42 designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1932. Painted birch veneer and bent plywood. Stamped. H: 61.5 cm W: 60.5 cm D: 78 cm SH: 37 cm A...
Birch, Plywood
alvar aalto PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS, MODEL NO. 44 (padded paimio)
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Pair of mid‑century armchairs, model no. 44, designed by Alvar Aalto. Each chair features Aalto’s characteristic continuous bent‑plywood side frames, where the armrests flow seamles...
Wool, Birch
Pair of Model Pikku Paimio, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of Model Pikku Paimio, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s. Gorgeous honey colored birch frame, black painted birch seats. Good vint...
Birch, Paint
Early Mod. 31 Lounge Chair by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
A fully restored early edition of the iconic Model 31 bentwood lounge chair, featuring a laminated birch frame with elegantly curved armrests and sled base. The sculptural plywood se...
Bentwood, Pine, Plywood
Vintage Paimio #41 Armchair by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Circa 1960
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern Paimio #41 arm chair originally designed by modernist architect Alvar Aalto in 1928 was made in Finland by Artek circa 1960. A tour de force in bentwo...
Wood, Birch, Plywood
$1,376
H 17.33 in Dm 13.78 in
Stool model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
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...
Birch
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...
Birch
$38,311
H 36.62 in W 29.93 in D 36.62 in
Alvar Aalto Highback Tank Arm Chair Model A 38 in Sheepskin, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful early version of the A38 “high back” Tank chair by Alvar Aalto. A substantial and commanding piece, this is among the rarer chair models in Aalto’s oeuvre and remains sel...
Sheepskin, Birch
$8,979
H 31.89 in W 21.26 in D 24.41 in
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. ...
Birch
Unavailable|$16,867 / item
H 25.6 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
Alvar Aalto Pair of ‘Tank’ Armchair for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tilburg, NL
Alvar Aalto Pair of 400 ‘Tank’ Armchair for Artek. Designed in 1936. New, current production. Please note: the price is for 2 chairs with Kvadat Tonus...
Fabric, Wood
Alvar Aalto Model 31 Cantilever Chair, Birch Plywood, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alvar Aalto cantilever chair, model 31. A very rare 1st edition model 31 lounge chair by Alvar Aalto in birch plywood with a floating bac...
Birch
$7,533
H 27.96 in W 24.02 in D 27.96 in
Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto lounge chair model 402, 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Uccle, BE
Original 1930's Alvar Aalto Model 402 lounge chair with reupholstered ecru cotton blend fabric. One of Aalto's notable creations is the "Model 402 Armchair...
Birch
Model 406 Lounge Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Denmark. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Previous mark where ICF label was is pictured for both chairs.
Cotton, Birch
Unavailable|$8,871 / item
H 25.6 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
Alvar Aalto 400 ‘Tank’ 1936 Armchair for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tilburg, NL
Alvar Aalto 400 ‘Tank’ Armchair for Artek. Designed in 1936. New, current production. As voluminous as it is comfortable, Armchair 400 was created b...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Unavailable|$8,433 / item
H 25.6 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
Alvar Aalto 400 ‘Tank’ Armchair in Zebra for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tilburg, NL
Alvar Aalto 400 ‘Tank’ armchair for Artek. Designed in 1936. New, current production. Please note: price is for a 'Tank' armchair in Zebra upholstery and nat...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$2,872
H 30.71 in W 28.35 in D 35.83 in
1940s Rare Miroslav Navratil armchair in Alvar Aalto style - Czechoslovakia
By Alvar Aalto, Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- wooden parts restored - original upholstery in very good condition, cleaned - jr
Fabric, Wood
Adjustable Paimio Daybed by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1932. Finland. From the Paimio Sanitorium outdoor deck
Metal
Alvar Aalto Armchair 44 with Zebra upholstery
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Armchair model 44, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek. The chair has been made of birch, and it has famous Artek's Zebra fabric upholstery.
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Armchair 44 by Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 44 armchair with original blue upholstery. Design by Alvar Aalto. The chair is in really good used condition. Model 44 is not in production any longer a...
Fabric, Birch
Sold
H 26.38 in W 24.81 in D 33.47 in
Alvar Aalto Padded Paimio 44 Lounge Chair in Birch & Sheepskin, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
The famous Paimio lounge chair model 41, designed by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanitarium. Manufactured by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy in t...
Metal
Pair Alvar Aalto Paimio 41 Armchairs Chairs
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Alvar Aalto "Paimio 41" armchairs / lounge chairs. The chairs are lacquered birch and bentwood.
Birch, Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Paimio Chair, Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Paimio Chair in bentwood frame with white laminate seat. Iconic design by Alvar Aalto in 1929 this version was produced by Artek in 2002 and retains its o...
Laminate, Bentwood
Armchair ‘Paimio 41’ Designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Armchair ‘Paimio 41’ designed by Alvar Aalto for OY Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas, Finland, 1960s. Lacquered birch and bent plywood. Originally creat...
Birch, Plywood, Lacquer
Paimio Chair by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Paimio Chair by Alvar Aalto, an authentic edition, chair #41, designed in 1941 by Alvar Aalto for Artek of Finland. A tour de force in bent...
Bentwood, Plywood
Pair of Wood Armchairs 41 Paimio by Alvar Aalto. Finland, 1930s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of wood birch armchairs model 41 Paimio by Alvar Aalto, an old Artek edition produced and acquired by previous owner during the 1970s. Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932. The 41 is...
Wood, Birch
Sold
H 29.14 in W 24.02 in D 27.56 in
Vintage Cantilever Lounge Chair by Alvar Aalto, Model 31, Finland, Designed 30s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Rare armchair by Alvar Aalto, model 31 in birch, upholstered in cowskin. The general impression is really good. This armchair is one of several designed by the celebrated archit...
Cowhide, Birch
Vitra Miniature Chair Art 41 Paimio by Alvar Aalto 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Vitra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Iconic miniature Paimio chair designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1930, and edited by Vitra. Alvar Aalto designed the Paimio chair in 1932-33, which revolutionized both the aesthetics and technology of modern furniture design. The arms are constructed of layers of bent laminated birch while the Aalto Paimio chair seat is molded from a single piece of birch plywood. The profile of the Paimio chair is nothing less than striking. Although this chair is generally referred to as the "Paimio Chair", it was not produced specially for the sanitorium at Paimio as the name would indicate. It received its name because it was developed during the period when Alvar Aalto was working on the design of the sanitorium. Each Vitra miniature...
Wood
Sold
H 25 in W 23.5 in D 32.5 in
Alvar Aalto "Paimio" Birch and White Armchair 41 for Artek, Finland, 1970s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Miami, FL
Great original vintage Paimio armchair 41 or lounge chair rendered in steam bent birch with a white lacquered seat designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek...
Birch, Bentwood, Plywood, Lacquer, Paint
Sold
H 26.23 in W 23.63 in L 26.23 in
Pair of Armchairs Paimio Number 41 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bent birch and lacquered plywood. Originally designed for the Paimio sanatorium in Finland. These examples made in the 1940s.
Birch
