Prastol - 2024

1st Place: Peter Wall, WARP ,Canada,

2nd PLACE: Tiziana Guevara, DRYAD, Italy
Inspired by the ancient forests and the mythical tree-nymphs known as Dryads, this chair embodies the deep connection between nature and design. Just as Dryads are the guardians of trees, the Dryad chair reflects the enduring spirit of the forest, where roots seamlessly transform into a solid trunk and branches gracefully reach out. T he chair’s organic, flowing shape captures this natural progression, symbolizing the life cycle of a tree—from its deep roots to its towering branches. With its thick, sturdy base, Dryad stands as a testament to the strength and permanence of the virgin forests—immovable, steadfast, and a symbol of the trees that have stood for centuries. Created for the Primal Chair competition, Dryad draws inspiration from the untouched, primeval forests where nature remains pure and undisturbed. The weight of the chair is a deliberate choice, reflecting the immovability of these ancient giants and inviting users to experience a moment of stillness, much like the serene forests
themselves. Dryad is more than just a piece of furniture; it is an invitation to pause, connect with the primal world, and admire the enduring beauty of nature.

3rd PLACE: Christopher Stevens in Magali Duchemin, STEBLA,CANADA
Stebla is a tribute to Slovenia’s majestic landscape whose primeval forests have developed without disturbance over millennia creating unique ecological features that have followed the laws of nature. In celebration of the birth of these pristine forests, Stebla emerges from the ground in a cluster of ‘stems’ that grow upward and outward to form the seat and backrest of the chair. Cut with a concave taper to comfortably support the human body, each cut exposes a unique series of annual rings revealing the age of each member and the environmental conditions it has endured during its lifetime. Connected with concealed wood dowels, Stebla’s members are made of round ‘green wood’ European Beech whose high moisture content will be preserved by storing them in water prior to steam bending. Like the ancient forests it celebrates, Stebla’s form will be created using the laws of nature as the steam bending process infuses each member with heat and moisture until it has dried reaching equilibrium with its environment - a process steeped in tradition by local ship builders and one of the most low-energy and ecological methods of manipulating wood known to man. Finished with beeswax - a natural finish that continues to nourish wood after it has dried - Stebla showcases the beauty and versatility of European Beech created through the
expertise of local craftsmanship. But it is also an object that embodies a message of coexistence as each ‘stem’ grows upward remaining equidistant from the next adjusting its path so as to not disturb the other - and a vital lesson to humanity about the importance of living in harmony with the natural environment. R1000 375 Ø75mm round European Beech Ø12mmX50mm concealed wood dowels 625 335 515 R600 R3000 R1000 R600 475 795 Heritag.