Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas

Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy, formerly called O.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B is a former furniture producer located in Littoinen, Kaarina, Finland. The company was once known for manufacturing Alvar Aalto designed furniture.

Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy
FormerlyO.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B.
Typeosakeyhtiö
Industryfurniture
Founded15 February 1912 (1912-02-15)[1] in Turku, Grand Duchy of Finland[2]
HeadquartersLittoinen,
Kaarina
,
Finland
Revenue1,534,000 (2014)
1,983,000 (2014[3])
Table and chairs designed by the Aaltos

The company was started in 1910 when Otto Korhonen and three other carpenters bought Puuseppien Osuuskunta ("Carpenters' Co-operative") based in Turku, then the Grand Duchy of Finland. Its portfolio comprised doors, windows and furniture which were produced in facilities located in Uudenmaankatu 7.[2] The company was registered as Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas in 1912.[1]

At the end of the 1920s Otto Korhonen partnered with architect Alvar Aalto. Aalto had recently gotten into two large projects: the Southwestern Agricultural Cooperative Building in Turku and the Paimio Sanatorium. The sanatorium was the most significant collaborative project between Korhonen and Aalto. Aalto designed the building itself; he and Korhonen designed a range of armchairs and tables for the facility's personnel and patients. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas manufactured the furniture and other interior elements. [2] The Paimio Sanatorium project represents the introduction of Aalto's stackable furniture designs which later influenced the American designers Charles and Ray Eames.[4]

In the 1930s Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas developed a special wood bending method. Aalto used the technique extensively: his "Y-leg", introduced in 1947, and his "X-leg" that followed in 1954 are notable examples. The bent wooden parts became distinguishing features in many Aalto furniture designs, such as "Stacking Stool Model 60" and "Tea Trolley Model 98".[2]

In 1966 the company was renamed Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy.[1] During the subsequent decades, the company's portfolio was largely based on Aalto's design classics.[2]

Korhonen's furniture production was sold to Artek, a subsidiary of Vitra, in 2014 and continues in Littoinen under the new name.[5]

References
  1. "Yrityshaku – Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy Oy". Kauppalehti (in Finnish). Alma Media Oyj. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  2. "Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy". Luettelomedia (in Finnish). Turku, Finland: Suomen Luettelomedia Oy. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  3. "Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy – Taloustiedot" [Huonekalutehdas Korhonen Oy – Financial data]. Taloussanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma News Oy. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  4. Paimio chair in MOMA collection
  5. "Artekille myös Littoisten Korhosen tehdas" [Also Littoinen Korhonen factory to Artek]. Turun Sanomat (in Finnish). Turku, Finland. 2014-01-31. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
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