(Prime) Chair 11th International Industrial Design Competition
Celebrating Wood and the Rich Heritage of Kočevska Forests through Innovative Chair Design
The (Prime) Chair 11th International Industrial Design Competition is a call for creative minds worldwide to reconnect with one of nature’s most precious resources—wood—and to celebrate the unique forest heritage of Kočevska, Slovenia. Despite the region’s vast forest coverage of over 80%, the wood processing industry has sharply declined over recent decades. This competition aims to revitalize appreciation for wood as a sustainable, valuable material through innovative and thoughtful chair designs.
Organized alongside the Festival of Wood—an initiative launched by Kočevje Grammar and Secondary School with the Municipality of Kočevje—the competition spotlights the environmental, cultural, and economic importance of local forests and wood craftsmanship. It invites designers to contribute fresh ideas that blend traditional skills with modern technology, supporting the green transition and sustainable design.
Why You Should Participate
- Engage with one of Europe’s last remaining virgin forests, including the UNESCO-listed Krokar forest.
- Showcase your design in the 2025 Festival of Wood Awards Ceremony in Kočevje.
- Gain international exposure and recognition from a prestigious jury of architects, designers, and wood technology experts.
- Benefit from prototype production and professional support.
- Experience an expert-guided tour of Krokar virgin forest as part of the award package.
- Help revive and promote wood craftsmanship in Slovenia and beyond.
Competition Categories and Prizes
| Category | Description | Prize and Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Chair | A chair design expressing an artistic and symbolic connection with the untouched nature and silence of Kočevje’s virgin forests. | – €1,500 cash prize (pretax) – Prototype production – Certificate – Free accommodation in Kočevje (Oct 16–18, 2025) – Participation in Festival of Wood awards ceremony – Expert-guided Krokar forest tour |
| Industrial Chair | A chair design adapted for industrial production with commercial appeal but based on similar principles of connection to the forest. | – €1,500 cash prize (pretax) – Prototype production – Certificate – Free accommodation in Kočevje (Oct 16–18, 2025) – Participation in Festival of Wood awards ceremony – Expert-guided Krokar forest tour |
Key Dates
| Phase | Date / Period |
|---|---|
| Submission Deadline | August 26, 2025 |
| Awards Ceremony | October 16–18, 2025 (Festival of Wood) |
Expert Jury Panel
- Prof. Janez Suhadolc — Architect, carpenter, and prolific wooden product designer with over 500 prototypes.
- Prof. Salih Teskeredžić — Architect and designer, co-founder of Gazzda, multiple international design award winner.
- Nikola Radeljković — Founder of Numen/ForUse, artistic director of Nunc, expert in conceptual art and industrial design.
- Andrej Palman, dipl. inž. — Wood technology engineer and educator at Kočevje Grammar and Secondary School.
- Špela Šubic — Museum curator specializing in seating furniture at Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO).
- Izr. prof. Rok Kuhar — Architect and industrial designer, head of Industrial Design Dept. at University of Ljubljana.
- Tomaž Sešlar — Founder of Rexdesign d.o.o., expert on designer Niko Kralj.
- Asst. Prof. Mojca Perše — Architect and Vice Dean at Faculty of Design specializing in interior and product design.
- Doc. Primož Jeza — Architect, designer, and author known for numerous awards including Red Dot.
- Albin Škalič, Ing. lesarstva — Wood technology engineer and company director.
About Kočevska Forests
The Kočevska region is home to vast tracts of forest, including six virgin forests covering nearly 219 hectares. Krokar, the largest, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. These forests represent some of Europe’s last untouched natural landscapes, rich with biodiversity including bears, wolves, and lynxes.
This competition honors that unique natural heritage by inviting designs that embody a deep connection with the forests, encouraging sustainable use of wood enriched with modern knowledge and craftsmanship.
ArchUp Analysis
The (Prime) Chair competition represents more than just a design challenge; it is a meaningful initiative that bridges environmental stewardship with cutting-edge design innovation. By focusing on Kočevska’s virgin forests, the competition highlights the critical role of sustainable material use in the green transition and raises awareness about the cultural and ecological value of wood.
For architects and designers, this is a unique opportunity to engage with nature’s heritage and translate it into functional, symbolic objects that can both honor tradition and embrace modern industrial processes. The expert jury’s blend of seasoned designers, educators, and industry leaders assures that winning designs will be both conceptually rich and practically viable.
We recommend designers interested in sustainable materials and heritage-focused design to participate. The combination of prize incentives, prototype production, and high-profile exposure at the Festival of Wood provides strong motivation and tangible career benefits.
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