Nikari’s Akademia Armrest Chair

An armrest version of the popular Akademia chair.

Introduced by Finnish furniture brand Nikari during Stockholm Design Week 2022, the new Akademia Armrest keeps the same clean lines of the popular Akademia chair, originally launched in 2019. This new version is designed by the same team, Wesley Walters and Salla Luhtasela of Kaksikko. The first Nikari Akademia chair came to be as a result of Walters’ thesis work at the Aalto University in Helsinki. Hence, the name. To create it, the designer drew inspiration from Shaker furniture, Japanese design principles, and Finnish chair manufacturing heritage. Maintaining the style of the original, the armrest version features the same classic frame and subtly curved seat and backrest. Armrests enhance comfort further.

While minimalist and elegantly simple, the armchair required a lot of refining and perfecting. The design duo developed this version over the course of three years. “It was a challenge adding elements to such a simple typology, but we think the final result speaks the same language as the original Akademia while having its own unique presence in space, say Wesley Walters and Salla Luhtasela. “Most importantly, aside from its unique form, the ample, curved armrests make it a supremely comfortable chair to sit in,” they add.

Akademia Armrest comes in sustainably grown ash, natural oak, or light oak. Nikari also offers it with or without an upholstered seat. This chair design works equally well as a dining chair in a family home or as a meeting chair in an office. Plus, the high-quality craftsmanship and durable materials make the chair ideal for both residential and public spaces. Finally, like all Nikari products, each Akademia Armrest chair comes to life through a process that celebrates Finnish carpentry traditions. Photography© Nikari.