Yrjö Kukkapuro armchairs

This is a very rare set of eight model Junior armchairs designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro and produced by Haimi in Finland during the 1960s.

The chairs feature a sculptural monobloc construction in white lacquered fiberglass-reinforced polyester, combined with original red leather upholstery. The design represents Kukkapuro’s exploration of ergonomics and modern industrial materials within the context of mid-century Scandinavian furniture production. The chairs have organically contoured seats with integrated armrests and a continuous flowing form that merges the seat, back, and arms into a single shell. The red leather upholstery is molded directly onto the seat’s interior surfaces, forming a padded envelope that enhances comfort and emphasizes the structure’s fluid geometry. The back and underside remain in the original off-white lacquered finish, contrasting sharply with the warm, high-gloss red leather. Each chair rests on a pedestal base with a four-point star foot, also lacquered in white. The base allows for a swivel function, contributing to the model’s original use in public and commercial interiors where mobility and durability were essential.

The chairs show signs of age-appropriate wear, including minor scuffs to the base lacquer and soft patina to the leather, but retain structural integrity and complete original components.

Yrjö Kukkapuro (b. 1933) is one of Finland’s leading modernist designers. He trained at the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki and established a career that focused on function-driven design rooted in human-centered ergonomics. Kukkapuro is best known for iconic models such as the Karuselli chair and the Junior series, which exemplify his commitment to the synthesis of comfort, structure, and innovation. The Junior model was developed for institutional and public use but has become increasingly rare due to limited production and the fragility of early fiberglass furniture. Produced by Haimi, a Finnish manufacturer known for its collaboration with Kukkapuro in the 1960s and 70s, these chairs are now recognized as important examples of postwar Finnish design and early plastic-based furniture systems.

Each chair measures 63 cm in width, 63 cm in depth, and 83 cm in height (24.8 x 24.8 x 32.7 inches), with a seat height of 42 cm (16.5 inches).