If your linguistic background tends toward the Romance languages—as most in this continent do, excepting English of course—then the word “Lento” reminds you of the slow, the sluggish, the generally staid and still. It takes a journey far up North to re-interpret the term, as Finnish designer Harri Koskinen has recently done for Artek. His Lento chair is light, lively, and lithe—quite the opposite of the Spanish meaning of the word.

Lento lounge chair. Designed by Harri Koskinen. Manufactured by Artek.

New Lounge Chair Rounds Out Artek’s Lento Line

In fact, Lento is Finnish for “flight,” a fact that explains Koskinen’s co-opting of the word. The chair—in true Finnish fashion, a bentwood piece made of pressed Birch veneer and Birch plywood—exudes the first-rate craftsmanship and aesthetic moxie of the finest in mid-century modern.

Apropos of the latter, Lento brings to mind some of the best work by the best Scandinavian designers of the 20^th. century, not limited to pieces by Hans Wegner and Jens Risom. It’s no wonder, as Koskinen is known for the clean, minimalistic designs popularized by Artek with the Lento series.

With its genesis in a classic multi-purpose chair (2006), Artek and Koskinen have consistently expanded the collection. 2009 saw the addition of a long table and upholstered chair, while this year brings a more laid back version of the chair in the form of a wide and roomy lounger.

Artek offers all Components of the Lento Line in either black or white, a no-nonsense palette that reinforces Koskinen’s theme of simplicity, elegance, and functionality—Lento exemplifies  “clarity and innovative solutions that meet the needs of the consumer… the collection is equally suited for public places and private homes.”

About the Manufacturer: Iconic Finnish manufacturer Artek has roots among the ethos of equally iconic designer Alvar Aalto. The famed sculptor of birch plywood is known for his development of “systems furniture”—versatile concepts and fluid pieces that allow rapid customization and enhanced adaptability. Artek’s line of furnishings and lighting is built of this heritage, as the firm “continuously searches for new materials and questions existing solutions for sustainable design.” Artek has collaborated with some of the world’s most accomplished architects and designers, including Eero Aarnio, Naoto Fukasawa, and Harri Koskinen.