On September 8, 2025, the College of Design and Innovation at Tongji University hosted a retrospective exhibition celebrating the career of Yrjö Kukkapuro, alongside the release of the Chinese edition of The Blue Door.

In her opening remarks, Cao Jing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tongji University, praised Kukkapuro as an outstanding figure of Finnish modern design. She noted that the Chinese edition of The Blue Door serves not only as a record of Kukkapuro's design philosophy but also as a bridge for cultural dialogue and mutual understanding between China and Finland. She emphasized that Tongji University has long valued exchanges between Chinese and international cultures and design practices, and remains committed to infusing design education with diverse perspectives and humanistic depth.

Anu Vuori, Consul General of Finland in Shanghai, highlighted that the essence of Finnish design lies in its pursuit of harmony between functionality and aesthetics. She described Kukkapuro as a designer whose works unite visual appeal with comfort, nature, practicality, and bold innovation—all in service of improving daily life.

Sharing personal insights, Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom, Yrjö Kukkapuro's daughter and a distinguished designer herself, traced her father's design journey. She noted how his works are interwoven with everyday Finnish life, from metro stations to schools and libraries, such that nearly every Finn has at some point sat in one of his chairs. Over his lifetime, he produced nearly 130 designs, continually experimenting with new materials and launching new collections almost every decade.

A roundtable followed, bringing together Isa Kukkapuro and leading scholars and industry experts, including Lou Yongqi, President of Shanghai University of Engineering Science; Wang Shouzhi, Associate Dean of the School of Creativity and Art at ShanghaiTech University; Zhang Ming, Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Tongji University; Fang Hai, Distinguished Professor at the China Academy of Art; and Wang Wuyi, Chairman of Shanghai Avarte Furniture Co., Ltd. Together, they explored Kukkapuro's philosophy, distinctive style, and the adaptation of his works in the Chinese market.

The Chinese edition of The Blue Door, authored by Isa Kukkapuro, traces her father's journey from small-town youth to international master. The book presents his philosophy, sources of inspiration, and creative practices, while also revealing previously unseen family archives. It portrays a designer who was both witty and cheerful, yet rigorous and pragmatic. The translation was led by Fang Bin, revised by Fang Hai, and published by China Electric Power Press. 

Yrjö Kukkapuro (1933-2025) stands as a national treasure of Finnish design, with a career spanning more than 70 years. A pioneer of modern furniture design, he emphasized comfort and functionality, integrating ergonomics into furniture design while experimenting with playful forms and novel materials. Among his iconic works is the Karuselli chair (1964), hailed by The New York Times as “the most comfortable chair in the world.”

Beyond his design practice, Kukkapuro was also a remarkable educator, serving as professor and later President of the University of Art and Design Helsinki (now Aalto University). From 1997 to 2018, he visited China nearly 40 times, lecturing at over 30 universities and co-founding Shanghai Avarte Furniture Co., Ltd., leaving a deep imprint on Chinese design. His ties with Tongji University were particularly close: he was appointed visiting professor at the College of Design and Innovation, and in 2013 held a solo furniture exhibition there. Even at 80, he personally oversaw the exhibition layout, turning the event into a rare masterclass. As Professor Lou Yongqi fondly recalled, “The ‘Kukkapuro Corner’ in the college library has always featured nearly 10 classic chairs donated by Avarte when the library was first established. They have accompanied generations of students from enrollment to graduation, leaving behind a deeply heartwarming legacy.”