Hotel Torni

An ode to modernity: a tubular steel classic in Helsinki’s Hotel Torni

Hotel Torni became an architectural sensation in Helsinki and beyond when it opened its doors in 1931, and is still one of Finland’s premier addresses to this day. “Torni” is the Finnish word for “tower” and the hotel once dominated the Helsinki skyline, only losing its status as the country’s tallest building in 1976. Guests are treated to breathtaking views of the city from the 14-storey structure. The tall windows and the light colour scheme chosen for the walls and curtains, combined with the warm wood of the parquet flooring, lend the minimalist rooms a lightness and brightness that are as striking now as they were in the 1930s. Almost a century later, guests from across the world still enjoy all that is special about this establishment in Helsinki’s Design District. The hotel has been modernised many times over the years, but always with the utmost respect for its very special history.

Following the most recent renovation, iconic tubular steel chairs by Thonet, designed by Mart Stam and popularised in the 1930s, now take pride of place in the guest rooms. These pieces echo the purist aesthetics of the period when the hotel was built, while their all-black finish gives a contemporary twist. 

With their cubic shape, clear design and fine proportions, the S 33 cantilever chairs combine the modern with a sense of tradition, perfectly complementing the hotel’s signature style. Mart Stam worked on the principle of cantilever chairs from the mid-1920s onwards. His minimalist design, which did away with a structure based on four legs, would become integral to the story of modern furniture design. Stam’s S 33 cantilever chairs were more than just functional pieces of furniture. They were emblematic of a wider revolutionary concept and a new approach to architecture and lifestyle. To this day, these classic chairs, which have been perfected over time, are among Thonet’s bestsellers. In this version with a deep black (RAL 9005) powder-coated tubular steel frame and black leather seat and backrest, they form a striking contrast with the light colour palette of the guest rooms.

All furniture designed by Mart Stam is focused on high utility and economy, both aesthetically and materially. This also explains the straight lines, simple structure and comfort of the S 43 cantilever chair, which, coincidentally, was designed in the very year that the Hotel Torni first opened. Stam created the ultimate minimalist piece by combining a tubular steel frame with wooden elements for the seat and backrest. Its pure, understated form is synonymous with the spirit of modernism – and it is an iconic design that can still be used in many ways today. The S 43 – in the version with a deep black (RAL 9005) powder-coated frame and black-stained moulded plywood – aligns perfectly with the Hotel Torni’s interior design concept, which also features tubular steel in the mirrors, tables and stools in the guest rooms.