Sibirjak

Anastasiya Koshcheeva, a Russian designer from Siberia, developed a lounge chair made of birchbark that deals with the question of how to reinterpret an age-old tradition.

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Resulted from Anastasiya Koshcheeva’s wide material research, Sibirjak is a modern lounge chair made of birchbark.

The almost forgotten natural material is not only flexible, soft, water-repellent and antibacterial, but also breathable, durable and strong. Despite these unique characteristics, it gets gradually forgotten. Sibirjak deals with the question of how to reinterpret an age-old tradition and also how to make the conventional handcraft up-to-date.

The chair and ottoman combination emphasizes the material aesthetics, combining traditional skills with modern processing. The horizontal alignment of the bark underlines the leather-like properties of the material, is welcoming and offers a wide comfortable seat. The textile details and the reduced geometric frame form a strong contrast to the natural birchbark.

Sibirjak differs strongly from the conventional folkloric context and at the same time invigorates the traditional handcraft by showing new possibilities in a contemporary context.

Sibirjak won the second prize at Salone Satellite Worlwide Moscow 2014 and, together with other products made of bark will be presented at Salone Satellite 2015 in Milan. All the products will be produced in Siberia in collaboration with local craftsman.