Bouroullec brothers design a bent steel triangle to frame Artek furniture collection
Stockholm 2015: French design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have made a bent steel component the basis of a collection of tables and shelving for Finnish brand Artek.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
The Bouroullecs' Kaari Collection for Artek comprises rectangular and round tables in two sizes as well as a desk, a wall console, a small round shelf and larger shelves.
The table was the starting point for the designers, who noted that the typology has only undergone minor alterations over the past 100 years.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
"While there have been hundreds of memorable chairs, only a few tables have made design history," said Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec in a statement. "Since the middle of the previous century, the materials that have proven suitable for tables have changed very little."
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
The designers created a supporting element from a simple section of metal, bent to form a triangular shape that gives the collection its name – Kaari, meaning "arch" in Finnish.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
This element provides a foot for wooden table legs of a variety of heights and also acts as a simple bracket for shelves when turned upside down.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
"Soon it became evident that the same system could also be used to construct wall-mounted objects such as single shelves on brackets and entire shelf units," said the duo.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
In each case, the steel pieces provide diagonal support for the vertical and horizontal wooden planes.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
"Both wood and steel banding are traditional materials and a fundamental part of the Artek heritage – however, they have never before been combined in this way."
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Surface materials for the table tops and shelves include matt linoleum and glossy high-pressure laminate.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
"As the tables are used over the course of time, these materials will develop an attractive patina," the designers said.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
Artek was co-founded in 1935 by Finnish Modernist architect Alvar Aalto, who also used modular components such as the bent wood L-leg to support a variety of different furniture pieces released by the company.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The factory where these historic designs were developed was bought by Artek last year, following Swiss company Vitra's acquisition of the brand in 2013.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The Bouroullecs' collection is presented at this year's Stockholm Furniture Fair, which opens today and continues until 7 February.
![Kaari Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Artek, at Stockholm 2015](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Kaari-Collection-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec-and-Artek-Stockholm-2015_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Artek also recently launched a revived range of wooden furniture and homeware designed by Aalto.