Organizer

Festival of Wood

Location

Kočevje, Slovenia

Deadline

• Competition opens: June 5, 2025
• Deadline for questions: August 14, 2025
• Submission deadline: August 26, 2025
• Award ceremony: October 16, 2025

Competition Category

The competition is divided into two main categories :

• Expressive Chair: A chair that expresses a deep connection with the untouched nature and silence of the Kočevje virgin forest in an expressive, artistic, and symbolic way .
• Industrial Chair: A chair based on similar principles as the expressive chair but adapted for industrial production and commercial appeal .

Eligibility Unlimited (Open to all designers, students, and authors from around the world who are 18 years of age or older) .

Entry Fee

Free .

Prizes/Awards

One winner will be selected in each category, with prizes including :

• 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
• Additionally, two honorable mentions will be chosen in each category .

Core Introduction

The competition is a tribute to the virgin forests in Slovenia, inviting designers to create a simple, functional, and ergonomically designed chair . The goal is to create a chair that, in addition to its basic function, also raises awareness among users about the importance of harmony between humans and nature . The winning designs will be presented as prototypes at the 2025 Festival of Wood .