anastasiya koshcheeva configures sibirjak lounge chair from birchbark

anastasiya koshcheeva configures sibirjak lounge chair from birchbark
all images courtesy of anastasiya koshcheeva

‘sibirjak’ by anastasiya koshcheeva is a contemporary lounge chair made of birchbark. the natural material is not only flexible, soft, water-repellent and antibacterial, but also breathable, durable, and strong. despite these unique characteristics, the berlin-based designer believes that it is gradually forgotten. in response, the project deals with the question of how to reinterpret an age-old custom and also how to make the conventional handcraft up-to-date. 

the chair and ottoman

the chair and ottoman combination emphasizes the material aesthetics, combining traditional skills with present-day processing. the horizontal alignment of the bark underlines the leather-like properties of the construct, which offers a wide and welcoming, comfortable seat. the textile details and the reduced geometric frame form a strong contrast to the natural birchbark. anastasiya koshcheeve‘s work, produced in siberia with local craftsman, won the second prize at salone satellite worldwide moscow 2014 and together with other products made of bark will be presented at salone satellite 2015 in milan.

the bark is water-repellant and antibacterial

side view of the chair

the ottoman

detail of the ottoman construction

the raw material

the material is flexible and durable

the products are made in siberia with local craftsman

design sketches

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.