Professional studies in Helsinki Institute of Crafts and Design 1954-58
Own freelancer agency, Studio Kukkapuro 1959
Academic career
- Teacher at Helsinki Polytechnic, Department of Architecture 1969-74
- The University of Industria
l Arts Helsinki, professor 1974-80, rector 1978-80
Professor Kukkapuro has been the company's principal designer from the very beginning. His designs reflect an awareness of space and its function, be it the space of classical or modern bu
ildings. Furniture has been designed by making it complement the architecture of the building, by making it assimilate with the space without dominating it. Avarte and Kukkapuro often work in close co-operation with architects. Even though many products h
ave originally been designed, tested and manufactured for a certain environment, many of them have proven appropriate for other corresponding projects. This may result from the universality of the products and the fact that they seldom point to any specif
ic style or era. Some products have also been manufactured in different versions suitable for many public facilities.
Kukkapuro studied under Ilmari Tapiovaara and Olli Borg who taught him the practical meaning of functionalism, and young Kukk
apuro greatly respected their wisdom and philosophy. Later he became the principal and professor of the University of Industrial Arts, and in his teaching he continued and expressed his functional thinking. His form language is based on a simple, clear an
d often imposing functionality which takes into account materials and their natural formal aspects as well. The outcomes of the design work are perfect wholes precisely because functionality in all its manifestations is their core. This is appropriate for
Kukkapuro who wishes to avoid excessive personification and who does not want to present hyperbolic views about design, either.
