Alki UHIN Wood veneer stool

More than 100 years after the birth of Nestor Basterretxea, Alki is reissuing a chair designed in 1961 by the pioneer of Basque industrial design.‎ Still relevant today, this model reflects the boldness and innovation that characterised Basterretxea's work.‎ Painter, advertising artist, sculptor, filmmaker, industrial designer, co-founder of the avant-garde group Gaur.‎.‎.‎ so many different hats, but only one signature style and one culture: that of Nestor Basterretxea.‎ This artist not only modernised Basque art, he also internationalised it, placing his work within the major contemporary movements of the 1960s.‎ Industrial design was one of his most prolific areas of work.‎ After designing pieces packed with panache for the H Muebles  brand, founded by Juan Huarte Beaumont, Nestor Basterretxea opened the Espiral shop in Donostia.‎ There he designed and sold his modern, timeless creations, which soon brought him to the stage as an internationally renowned designer.‎ In 2025, Alki is reissuing an iconic piece from the Espiral boutique era: the “Uhin” chair, which means ‘wave’ in Basque.‎ A metaphor that Basterretxea cherished: “Like a wave that never changes its nature but constantly changes its form, furniture must retain its highest qualities.‎” In this 1961 design, wave and furniture merge in a curved, light, graphic and comfortable silhouette.‎ The original model was timeless: its journey into the future was already mapped out.‎ Alki has given it a new lease of life in a wider range of colours: the 2025 “Uhin” is available in ten shades, from light oak to historic orange and Klein blue.‎ The seat is made by compressing sheets of wood veneered with a layer of oak, a tree dear to Basterretxea’s heart.‎ Its sleek design blends harmoniously into a variety of settings and styles.‎ Beyond its beauty, bringing Uhin into your home is a way of keeping alive the memory of a visionary artist who enriched the Basque cultural heritage.‎ A big thank you to the Basterretxea family who, together with Alki, are delighted to bring the artist's work back to life in our homes.‎