Iconic stool turns 80

One of the most iconic and yet simplistic pieces of furniture turns 80 this year.

Artek’s Stool 60 is a familiar sight to many, and it is not really a surprise that this beautifully simple stool was designed by highly acclaimed architect Alvar Aalto. 

The unique design of the stool relies on the fact that it was the first 3-legged stool made of wood, and not tubular steel, with the iconic L-shaped legs taking years to perfect, the result being a simple and stackable stool that has survived the test of time for the best part of a century.

To commemorate the 80th birthday, Artek is releasing a series of the stools in the same colours that Alvar used in his designs at the time of their creation. They are also working with well known architects and designers to produce a new series of stools, with the first ones being released designed by Mike Meiré.  

There is a video showing the creation of his colourful stools below. Read the 80th Birthday press release here.

Hélène Binet - a master of architectural photography

It's Nice That has featured inspiring architectural photographer Hélène Binet on their website.

The piece covers her relationship with some of the world's top architects and her amazing ability to capture their creations in a truly unique and breath-taking manner. Due to her stunning work, she is regarded as one of the best architectural photographers in the world and when you see the images she has taken it is no surprise that architects such as Le Corbusier, David Chipperfield, Alvar Aalto and Zaha Hadid have all used her to document their work.

Read the piece and see more images here.