The majority of people envision the forest as a peaceful oasis where one can find inner tranquility. The rustling of leaves, the singing of birds, and the scent of the forest calm and delight us. However, we wonder, can a carefully crafted piece of nature in the form of wood evoke a sense of homeliness and connection to nature?

The Festival of Wood announces a competition for the design of a wooden chair as a tribute to the Kočevje virgin forest. The goal is to design a functional and ergonomically shaped chair that, in addition to basic usability, also raises awareness in the user about the importance of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Wood is a precious resource that we have in abundance, yet we often take it for granted and thus underutilize it. With this competition, we aim to promote sustainable, economical, and high-quality use of wood in everyday life.

The purpose of the competition is not only the design of the product itself but also to bring the story to the final product, which is made with modern tools and ready for wider distribution. So far, more than 400 designers from 50 different countries around the world have participated in the competition. The three winning proposals selected by the jury receive pre-production prototypes as prizes. These prototypes are initially presented during the festival and showcased in the media and on other partner platforms. The production of a prototype gives the designer an opportunity for the next step, which represents the actual potential for market implementation of the product.