Once furniture leaves the glossy surrounds of a showroom, you would presume that the manufacturers' hope is that it will not be returned. However in the case of Artek, the hope is quite the opposite.
Since 2007, the brand has been actively seeking out its unwanted and abandoned furniture and lighting, from schools, flea markets and estate sales, then reselling the designs to a new generation as part of its '2nd Cycle' programme. Over eight million Alvar Aalto products have been sold worldwide since the brand's inception in 1935, so there is no shortage of them in circulation.
Previously only available through Artek's dedicated 2nd Cycle store in Helsinki - with a few select pieces sold through the Vitra and Artek store in the recently opened retail complex Bikini Berlin - today marks the opening of the 2nd Cycle market at the Berlin outpost, which takes over the entire store for two days.
Running until tomorrow, the market will provide Berlin-based Finnish design fanatics with the chance to get their hands on the coveted pre-loved pieces, including mid-century classics by designers such as Ilmari Tapiovaara and Alvar Aalto. In addition, visitors to the event will also be encouraged to bring along their own pieces of used Finnish furniture for experts to evaluate, authenticate and then potentially buy back in return for a store gift certificate.
Called 2nd Cycle, the market is a continuation of Artek's furniture recycling initiative set up in 2007.
Mid-century classics by designers such as Ilmari Tapiovaara and Alvar Aalto are available to purchase.
ADDRESS
Bikini Berlin
Budapester Strasse 38-50
10787 Berlin
-
Davos 2025: Genesis goes all-out on outdoor machismo with this extreme sport support vehicle conceptPresented to the World Economic Forum at Davos, the Mountain Intervention Vehicle Concept is a wild transformation of the Genesis GV60 into a tracked rescue vehicle
-
E-ink comes of age: the best new tablets for distraction-free reading and writingWe explore the world of E-ink tablets to find the best device for handwriting input, editing, sketching and light computing duties
-
We are the world: Pininfarina’s ‘Orbis’ taps Papal support for an eco-friendly agendaThe Orbis is a ‘symbolic object’, a gift to Pope Francis from the Italian design agency at a time of political upheaval and social fracture around all aspects of sustainability
-
Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a living, multi-sensory museumThe third edition of the fair (18-27 October) showcases over 100 exhibitions across the Japanese capital
-
Artek’s midcentury icons given a new look by Heath Ceramics -
Bentwood and beyond: the Bard Gallery examines the Aaltos’ dual design practice -
Studioilse turns the VitraHaus loft into the home of a fictional couple for Vitra and Artek’s current exhibition
