PERIFERIA KVJ3 STOOL | NIKARI

A Chair Born from Finnish Sauna Culture

Finland is considered the birthplace of the sauna, and sauna culture has been deeply rooted in daily life there for a long time. Wooden stools are part of this, and the traditional sauna stools by founder Kari Virtanen have been made in various forms at NIKARI for decades.

This Periferia stool was designed in 1997 for a VIP-exclusive sauna at the Moscow branch of the Finnish energy company Neste, which was located in Moscow at the time. The seat is slightly concave towards the central slit, allowing water to drip away. The shape, designed for use in wet conditions, became an integral part of its aesthetic. Grasping the slit with one hand allows for easy portability.

Why is this particular chair made only of alder wood?

The wood used is only certified Finnish alder. Most NIKARI furniture is made from oak or ash, and this is the only piece of NIKARI furniture we carry that uses alder.

The reason for this choice was the comfort of those using the sauna. Porous alder does not get too hot to the touch even in a hot environment. This specific wood was chosen because the chair comes into direct contact with bare skin.

The finish is uncolored clear oil. Since it is not coated with a film-forming finish like urethane or lacquer, the wood's texture can be felt directly, and its character deepens with use.

According to NIKARI in Finland, even in historical documents from that time, "which wood was chosen" was highlighted more than the name of the facility it was delivered to. This is a sauna stool where the properties of the material were carefully considered for the sole purpose of creating a space for physical and mental purification.

Designed by NIKARI's Founder Himself

Kari Virtanen started his workshop at the age of 19 and has been creating solid wood furniture while working on projects for Alvar Aalto and Kaj Franck. He received the Bruno Mathsson Prize in the Nordic countries in 1987, the Finnish National Design Award in 2005, the "Pro Finlandia" medal from the President of Finland in 2009, and the Kaj Franck Design Prize in 2020.

About NIKARI

NIKARI is a woodworking brand founded in 1967 by 19-year-old furniture maker Kari Virtanen in the Ostrobothnia region on Finland's west coast. With skilled craftsmanship that brings out the beauty of solid wood, it has attracted attention from the global design scene. We are a retailer.
→ Learn more about NIKARI

*Please note that the grain, knots, and color tone of each product will vary, and no two products will be exactly alike.
*As this is a back-ordered item, cancellations after an order has been placed are not permitted.
<Delivery>
Delivery will be made to your doorstep. We do not offer indoor搬入 (carrying indoors) or setup.
Depending on the building conditions, such as the absence of an elevator or the requirement for prior notification for delivery work, delivery may be made on the first floor of the building instead of the entrance. Additionally, if the delivery person comes alone, you may be asked to assist with carrying the item to your doorstep, depending on the conditions of the building or its surroundings. We appreciate your understanding in advance.
*Regarding product colors
Please be aware that the color of the actual product may differ from the images due to differences in computer monitors and other devices used by customers, as well as variations in indoor and outdoor photography.