Nike SB 'Beyond' Dunk High: Juho Haapala Q&A

When Nike SB first approached you, what made Alvar Aalto feel like the story you wanted to tell?

Around 2010ish I tried to get City of Jyväskylä to build replica of the Villa Mairea's pool into our city but that didn't happen. I thought 'I want to take that same concept to another level' and pitched the idea first to Alvar Aalto Foundation in 2022, and after getting a green light from them, I approached to Nike.

The collaboration explores the link between Aalto's freeform pool designs and the origins of pool skating. Was that connection something you'd always known, or did you discover it during the project?

It has been a well known fact, at least here, for a long time. But its not been brought to wider audiences. I got inspired by the historical links and took this story into the shoe design with Nike.

What was the very first design element you knew had to be on the shoe?

Blue glossy glazed ceramic tile and birch wood colour that mimics Aalto's furniture.

Was there an idea or reference you loved that ultimately didn't make it into the final product?

No. All our plans went into the final product. I am really stoked that the idea I came across 6 years ago still feels so fresh and timeless. But I am a bit disappointed that the Villa Mairea Foundation didn't let us film or take pictures of the pool for this project. I only wanted a 5 second video with a 16mm video camera, but they said no. No pictures neither. But I have to respect their decision.

How long did it take to get from the first conversation to holding the finished Dunk in your hands, and how did that feel?

It took about 4 years after our first approach to Nike. After we began the first sample rounds it took approximately 1,5 years to have the final model in my hand.

We loved seeing the Dunk High being used for this project, do you have a favourite Dunk High that isn't your own?

Definitely the Dunk Hi "Brut" 2007!

Do you have a favourite Alvar Aalto creation? It could be architecture or furniture, or one of each.

I really love the furniture, especially Armchair 406 and Stool 60. From his buildings, my favourites are the main building on Jyväskylä Campus and Jyväskylä swim hall, as well as the Seinäjoki City Hall (Arto Saari is from Seinäjoki).

The shoe references multiple Aalto materials and architectural details. Which reference are you personally most proud of, and why?

I am really proud of all of them, but my favorite part is the philosophy of the shoe. Aalto wanted to create sites and furniture that stay relevant for decades to come. To follow that philosophy we wanted to create a shoe that stays relevant for at least 50 years, knowing that white sneakers were cool at least 50 years ago, they sure will be cool after the next 50 years.

Did researching Aalto change or add anything to the way you think about design yourself?

The slogan LINES THAT NEVER END was the game changer for us. Aalto based his designs on nature and the lake shores of the Jyväskylä region. Our nature can be seen in his works, such as the Villa Mairea freeform pool and bended woods in his furniture. The freeform pool design travelled to California via inspiration. Our shoe is just one part in that line of inspiration that never ends. Just like art, music, skateboard tricks... you name it. They are all just outcomes of inspirations.

What was it like balancing historical accuracy by working with the Alvar Aalto Foundation whilst also keeping that sense of creative freedom?

First and foremost we wanted to respect Aalto's heritage and acknowledge his importance to the design world to newer generations.

How important was it that this project feels unmistakably Finnish without relying on clichés?

We wanted to do everything as Finnish as possible. We filmed the skate video only in Finland, we shot all the pictures of the shoes at Aalto sites. It is hard to not rely on cliches when you are working with such a big part of Finnish culture, but I believe we nailed it by doing it all our own way.

Beyond and Aalto both come from Jyväskylä. What's your favourite thing about Jyväskylä?

This is a tough one. I love how this city lives from culture. We are a small city but lots of big and important cultural figures are coming from here, like the KPC rap crew. Those guys are the biggest name in the Finnish hip-hop scene, Beyond is well known as well. As we all come from such a small city, we really have to "scream loud" to get our names heard, by this I mean we have to do our things the best way possible.

When someone comes to visit, what skate spot, coffee shop and restaurant should they check out?

Sepänaukio plaza is our home turf. "Seppä" has raised many generations of amazing skaters from Harri Puupponen (check out the Kingpin ollie cover) to Aleksi "Aatsi" Suovaara as todays most known name from Jyväskylä, and Olli Ilmonen (19 years on Nike SB) and many others. Cielo is one of our best restaurants; they offer a tasteful north African cuisine, Toivolan Vanha Piha will keep you caffeinated for days.

What do you hope someone in New York, London or Tokyo learns about Finland or Aalto when they discover this shoe?

I hope that people will learn the history of modern skateboarding and how amazing its is that we, as such a small city in Finland (155,000 inhabitants), holds such a big part in the whole pop culture of skateboarding.

As the first Nordic shop to collaborate with Nike SB, did you feel extra pressure to represent the region well?

I didn't feel any pressure. The whole time I was really proud of what we have accomplished

How collaborative was the design process with Nike SB?

From the very beginning we had  a joke with Nike that they didn't have much to do, as our plan was so good already. But seriously, the Nike team did an amazing job by letting me know different leather materials.

What surprised you most about working with Nike SB behind the scenes?

I was amazed how fast everything goes when the big wheel first turns. Before the engine starts, it was lots of waiting.

Our crew for this project was:

Juho Haapala as being himself
Janne-Juhani Hyvarinen as Art Director
Samuli Härkönen as editorial photography
Justus Hirvi as skateboard photographer
Teemu Metsäkylä as filming and editing
Lorenzo Laakso, Aleksanteri Pöyhönen and Roi Peteri as production team for our storytelling video

Beyond Team riders: Eetu Toropainen and Victor Högund. Featuring: Eniz Fazliov, Olli Lilja, Milo Mieskonen and Tomi Rehula