Gems from the Archive

Screen 100 reaches new heights

Few design pieces capture the spirit of Alvar Aalto’s organic vision quite like the Artek Screen 100. First created in 1936, this timeless room divider translates Aalto’s architectural language into a fluid, tactile object that brings warmth and movement to any space. Crafted from vertical strips of solid pine, the screen unfurls like a soft wave — a sculptural piece that can be rolled up, shaped, and reimagined again and again.

The design echoes Aalto’s architectural masterpieces — think of the gentle curves of the Viipuri Library ceiling, or the rolling Finnish landscape of lakes and pine-covered hills. Now reintroduced in a series of four heights — 100A (180 cm), 100B (150 cm), 100C (130 cm), and 100D (100 cm) — the Screen 100 adapts effortlessly to contemporary living. Whether used as a full-height divider in an open-plan home or a low, sculptural backdrop behind a sofa, each version brings a unique rhythm and balance to the room.

The beauty of the Screen 100 lies in its versatility. The 100D model, at 100 cm high, evokes Japanese tatami dividers — perfect for defining a reading corner or creating intimacy in a larger space. The 150 cm 100B height is a designer’s favourite: ideal for breaking up space without blocking light, or for use as a statement piece in an office or studio. Each model maintains the same 200 cm width, making them easy to combine — together, they resemble a miniature landscape of wooden waves and shadows.

In an age of modular furniture and minimalism, Aalto’s Screen 100 stands apart: warm, human, and full of movement. It’s not just a room divider — it’s a living sculpture, an architectural gesture, and a love letter to the natural forms of Finland.

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Footnotes: 
Text and Images: Artek