ozadjeprastola

primal chair 2025

As a tribute to the primeval forests in Slovenia, we invite designers to apply for the Prastol Competition 2024. When we think of Kočevska, the image of a magnificent forest landscape with untouched nature and a diverse animal world of bears, wolves and lynxes comes to mind. But Kočevsko hides another special secret treasure in the endless forests like a precious pearl. These are silent and hidden remnants of primeval nature in Europe, rare primeval forests in Europe. Slovenia has 14 primeval forests, of which 6 are in the Kočevska region on an area of ​​almost 219 ha. The largest is the Krokar primeval forest, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. Participation in this design competition allows you to realize your design idea.

The goal
is to create a simple, functional and ergonomically designed chair, which, in addition to its basic function (modern man), will make the user aware of the importance of coexistence between man and nature. Participation in the competition is open to all designers, students and authors from all over the world who are over 18 years old.

Two first awards

EXPRESSIVE CHAIR A TRIBUTE
TO THE RICHNESS OF THE KOČEVJE FORESTS

Cash prize of €1,500 (pretax)+
Prototype production of the chair +
Free accommodation in Kočevje (October 16–18, 2025) +
certificate +
Participation in the 2025 Festival of Wood awards ceremony +
Expert-guided tour of the Krokar virgin forest

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INDUSTRIAL CHAIR FOREST
DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE

Cash prize of €1,500 (pretax)+
Prototype production of the chair +
Free accommodation in Kočevje (October 16–18, 2025) +
certificate +
Participation in the 2025 Festival of Wood awards ceremony +
Expert-guided tour of the Krokar virgin forest

▼

Key dates

5.6.2025

Competition opens

14.8.2025

Deadline for questions

26.8.2025

Submission deadline

8.9.2025

Jury selection

16.10.2025

Award ceremony


Evaluation criteria

Applications will be evaluated according to the following 4 aspects:

  • Design aspect; (innovativeness, functionality, aesthetics, feasibility)
  • Material selection; considering the use of wood as a primary material
  • Economy; usability and marketability
  • Presentation; a clear and high-quality presentation of the role

Each member of the jury will evaluate each application according to one of five aspects according to individual evaluation criteria. The decisions of the jury are final.

Jury

  • Salih Teskeredzic

    Architect and designer, full professor at the Department of Design, Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, co-founder and creative strategist of the Sarajevo brand Gazzda, winner of many international awards for design, such as Red Dot, Interior Innovation Award - Winner, and has also been nominated several times for the German Design Award.

  • Rok Kuhar

    Architect and industrial designer, head of the Department of Industrial and Unique Design at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Ljubljana, co-founder of Studio Raketa, which works in the field of graphic and product design and interior design and is the winner of numerous international awards.

  • Nikola Radeljkovic

    Founder and member of the Numen/ForUse group, working in conceptual art, scenography and industrial design for leading furniture manufacturers in Europe, including Prostoria; artistic director of the brand Nunc and visiting professor at many educational institutions in the field of design.

  • Mojca Perse

    An architect who deals with design and interior design,
    vice dean for artistic activity and head of the laboratory for creative industries at the Faculty of Design, lecturer at the Department of Interior Design and Product Design at the Faculty of Design.

  • Primoz Jeza

    Architect and designer, lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Ljubljana, founder of the PRIMOZJEZASTUDIO studio, author of the book Interior Primož Jeza 9+1, selector of the Ljubljana Design Month and winner of numerous awards, nominations and recognitions, including Red Dot Award.

  • Andrej Palman

    Dipl. and with. of woodwork, professional associate of the Kočevje Business Incubator.

  • Janez Suhadolc

    Architect and carpenter, retired professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana and designer and maker of chairs, who in his career produced more than 500 prototypes of various wooden products according to his ideas.

  • Tomaž Sešlar

    Founder of the company Rexdesign d.o.o. An expert on the works of Niko Kralj, who has revived many of his nearlyforgotten creations.

  • Natalia Lapajne

    Museum consultant of the Museum of Architecture and Design, member of the interdisciplinary working group for the inclusion of Jože Plečnik's works on the UNESCO list, author of the exhibitions (Un)Realized Parliament, Toy Game and Niko Kralj, and also participates in many international projects, such as Design Biennales, Reseau Art Nouveau, Europe City.

  • Albin Škalič

    Forest engineer, director of Murales.

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