Tapiovaara was a great admirer of Alvar Aalto's work and wanted to create products based on the same ideological premises. He embraced the principle of social equality of functionalism, and felt that architecture was the starting point of his design work.

The Domus chair, alongside the Domus lounge chair, were originally designed by Tapiovaara for the public spaces at the Domus Academica's student housing. Designing the interiors of the Domus Academica was the first important commission for Ilmari and his wife Annikki. The Domus chair was designed to be an all-purpose chair supposed to serve as a work chair in student rooms, but also in the hallways, auditoriums, etc. The main objectives in the design were that it had to be comfortable and it had to support the back. Domus requires little space and is stackable. It is made of form-pressed birch plywood and offered in a variety of finish options as well as upholstered.

llmari Tapiovaara was one of the greatest interior architects and designers of his era. With the mind of an explorer and a soul of a craftsman, Tapiovaara was always seeking for new solutions to improve everyday objects. During his long career Tapiovaara created dozens of iconic objects loved by the public. He was revered as a master of characteristic and human objects and surroundings who captured the essence of Finnish identity. Ilmari Tapiovaara was awarded a total of six gold medals at the Milan Triennials as well as many other important awards throughout his career.