Reconstruction of the exhibition Our Roots during week 9  

Bengt Ruda

Designer and architect

Birth/death: 1918–1999, Sweden
Education: Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design
Home base: Stockholm and Älmhult, Sweden
Worked at IKEA: 1956–1971

Bengt Ruda first made a name for himself as an innovative designer at high-end department store Nordiska Kompaniet (NK). He received recognition from the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design, and in 1956 became the first trained designer hired by IKEA.

19
56

While working at NK, Bengt Ruda was responsible for Triva, Sweden’s first self-assembly furniture series. This innovation caught the eye of Ingvar Kamprad, who had seen some success with flatpackable tables in the 1953 IKEA catalogue. He needed a professional designer with the experience and expertise to take the concept further.

Three smiling men in 1960s suits sit and stand chatting in a furniture store.
Bengt Ruda (right) with architect Arne Wahl Iversen (left) and Ingvar Kamprad (centre) in the early 1960s.
19
57

At first glance Bengt Ruda, then multi-awarded and internationally known, seemed an odd fit for a low-price furniture company in the Småland woods. But, to the surprise of many, he accepted the job offer and started at IKEA in the autumn of 1957.

In an article from the opening of the first IKEA store in 1958, Bengt Ruda was interviewed by magazine Svenska Journalen, describing him as “an incredibly productive, handsome-bearded fighter.” Bengt was quoted as saying he enjoyed the freedom to create and to have full control over the materials. “Coming here from a Stockholm firm was like moving from a government job,” said Bengt. He also admitted to being enticed by Småland’s vast hunting and fishing grounds.

1957
Black and white photo of a three-legged chair with a steel tube frame, with seat and back in moulded teak.

GRILL was one of Bengt Ruda’s first IKEA creations – a three-legged stackable chair with a steel tube frame, and seat and back in moulded teak.

1958
Young couple look at a 1950s room setting through a shop window.

In the very first IKEA store, opened in Älmhult in 1958, Bengt Ruda set up two small demo apartments on the top floor, where visitors could study and try out products in a life-like home setting.

1958
1950s armchair with green upholstery and a high back.

Bengt Ruda’s high-backed armchair CAVELLI was described in the 1959 IKEA catalogue as super modern, with “the lines of 1965 already in 1959.”

“Design used to be expensive … We strive to make it available to the many people.”
– Bengt Ruda

1958
1950s armchair with blue upholstery and teak-stained beechwood frame.

With ZETTI, IKEA promised to solve the furnishing problems caused by the new TV. This “exclusive TV armchair” in teak-stained beechwood was modern and easy to place.

1958
An update of a classic Swedish wooden chair made of solid oak and teak.

SIERRA was described as Bengt Ruda’s update of the classic Swedish wooden chair, strong and durable in solid oak and teak.

1958
Wooden serving trolley in 1950s style.

TEA serving trolley. Ingvar Kamprad said, “The exclusive tea table. A new creation by Bengt Ruda that will win many friends.”

1959
Lightweight grey and black rounded 1960s armchair.

Bengt was the first IKEA designer to use plastic for furniture, in the lightweight SMÖGEN armchair. Its catalogue text promised plastic would revolutionise the industry.

1963
Two safari style armchairs, one black, one beige, with blond wood frames.

The popular CIKADA was the first safari-style armchair released by IKEA, and it stayed in the range for many years.

2012
Easy chair in green metal with a high back.

Designer Wiebke Braasch was inspired by Bengt Ruda’s CAVELLI chair when she designed a metal easy chair for the IKEA PS 2012 collection.

19
58

In 1958, the GRILL chair won the jury award at the Society of Crafts and Design’s major design exhibition – the forerunner of Excellent Swedish Design. It could, of course, be flatpacked, and is also a good example of how IKEA focused on smart product development. Bengt kept the price down by using parts from the suppliers that offered the lowest cost and had expert knowledge about the right materials and techniques.

Bengt Ruda would contribute far more than flatpack fittings expertise in his role at IKEA. Thanks to his way with aesthetics, the brand was able to make a huge step forward regarding the use of colour and textiles in home furnishing. In the 1959 IKEA catalogue, Bengt advised wisely: “A firm rule is that the room should be given a neutral colour, and the home furnishing textiles should give the room that individual touch that everyone should try to achieve to feel comfortable.”

In 1960, IKEA opened its first restaurant in a new annex added to the 1958 store. Bengt Ruda was responsible for designing the restaurant, including an open kitchen and light wood furnishings incorporating his own dining chair, SIERRA.

Man in dark glasses and suit sits at a desk, sketching.
Bengt Ruda hard at work, perhaps sketching the IKEA restaurant interior.
Sketch of a restaurant kitchen in blue ink.
The IKEA restaurant had a modern open kitchen with self-service counter, as seen in this sketch by Bengt Ruda.
19
79

In 1979, Bengt Ruda finally decided to move on from IKEA. Ingvar Kamprad would later say that it was Bengt who broke the ice between “the fancy street” and “the many people” through his commitment to IKEA. He is still remembered for infusing his sense of colour and style into IKEA and for developing modern, accessible furniture design.