Designers

Professor Yrjö Kukkapuro's work is characterized by strict form control and thoughtful use of details. Throughout the decades, his ideal has been the human body and its principles. Kukkapuro has been the chief designer at Haimi Oy, Lepokalusto Oy, and Avarte Oy. He is known as a designer of public spaces and a solid collaborator with the architectural community. Thus, every Finn has likely sat in one of his designed chairs while visiting a bank, theater, auditorium, or hospital. Lepo Product manufactures Kukkapuro's first successful collection, Moderno (1958-62).

Interior architect Tapio Anttila's design is strongly guided by ecological values. Simplicity, an austere design language, and functionality combined with a touch of humor best describe his work. Anttila has a particular interest in Finnish wood and its modern processing, respecting traditional methods.

Interior architect Annika Bengts, is a graduate of the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts. In Annika's design, the practicality of the product and the novelty of the idea are the most important starting points. Functionality and usability form the basis for clear and timeless design. As a designer, she is passionate and aims to develop her skills and broaden her mindset whenever the opportunity arises.

Founded in 2010, Fyra Oy is an internationally awarded Finnish design agency that combines top expertise with responsible practices and strong collaboration with clients and partners.

The Boa product family, designed by Fyra, was born from a need identified in their ongoing spatial design projects—the need for comfortable seating furniture suitable for small spaces without compromising on comfort.

Lahden Muotoiluinstituutista sisustusarkkitehdiksi valmistunut Elina Hakala on aikaisemmalta koulutukseltaan kalustemuotoilija. Hakalan muotokieli on selkeää ja rohkeaa, huumoria unohtamatta. Ei niin vakava Pala-sarja keventää hyvin erilaiset tilat.

Interior architect Maiju Hatakka, often finds the starting point for her design in solving everyday problems with simple and sustainable methods, without forgetting visual appeal. After studying at the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts, Maiju's goal has been to continue acquiring new knowledge daily. "Both in professional life and in leisure time, one can constantly discover new inspiring cultures, environments, and people who enhance creativity and motivation."

Kaarle Holmberg, an interior architect at SIO, has been the chief designer of Lepo Product since the early 1990s. The design of Kaarle Holmberg, winner of several domestic and international awards, is characterized by excellent usability, for example, the seating comfort of the chairs is due to long ergonomic experience and technical knowledge of production. The first furniture series designed by Kaarle Holmberg for Lepo Product is the award-winning Paletti.

A talented designer who graduated as an interior architect from the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts, has received design training from Lepo Product's chief designer, Kaarle Holmberg. The Kaite laptop chair, designed as a course project in 2008, is Marika's first product for Lepo Product. In her furniture design, Marika's guiding principle is the pursuit of user-friendly and purpose-driven results.

Esko Pajamies (1931-1990) graduated as an interior architect from the University of Arts and Design in 1954. Pajamies specialized in furniture design at an early age. His innovative design was strongly characterized by durability and functionality, realized through ingenious technical solutions. The story of Lepo and Pajamies began with the distinctive Polar furniture series, and their productive collaboration continued throughout the 1970s.

Juho Pasila is a Finnish designer known especially for his innovative furniture and interior products. He has designed products for several well-known brands, and his works have been showcased in many international design exhibitions. Pasila has been recognized for clear lines, functional design, and inventive solutions that combine aesthetics and practicality.

"A product should bring joy to its user, but also respond in the best possible way to the need for which it is designed. Experimenting with materials and solutions in practice is characteristic of my design, and I always consider design through the lens of manufacturing."

Interior architect Jesse Pietilä graduated from the University of Arts and Design. Pietilä's design is characterized by seriality and optimization of proportions. When designing furniture, he often investigates structures by creating prototypes himself. For the Lepo collection, Pietilä has designed a new piece called Humanon, which is suitable for various usage situations.

Interior architecture firm Sistem Oy designed the Martta sofa series for the Lepo collection. "We absolutely wanted to give the sofa a woman's name, reflecting the female designers behind the product. Martta, as a name, is timeless in a way, but also refers to history, craftsmanship, and most importantly, women's community,” explain interior architects Daniela Weintraub and Katri Maula.

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Tiina Tahkokorpi, an interior architect SIO, graduated from the Lahti Institute of Design. She works as an interior architect at Lepo. Tahkokorpi has designed the Vino collection for Lepo, which includes armchairs, sofas, and a coffee table. Vino is a much-needed addition to the Lepo collection. "There was a demand for a modern, compact-sized sofa set, and I responded with my minimalist design language. The sloping lines inspired the name Vino for the new sofa set."

Designers Rosa-Maria Tolvanen and Jani Luukkonen, graduates of the Lahti Institute of Design, have designed the wooden Mikki chair series for Lepo. The design team aims to create timeless solutions for various environments and needs. Functionality, practicality, and aesthetics guide their work.

Interior architect Kimmo Varjoranta has extensive experience in furniture design. Varjoranta has worked as the chief designer, project and artistic director for several Finnish furniture companies, in addition to teaching at various schools in the field. Essential to Varjoranta's product design is the mastery of the entire product development process. He constructs model pieces himself, ensuring that even the smallest details are thoroughly examined. Varjoranta has designed Lepo's Duo chair series and the Oma acoustic element.