Six Benches – Reclaimed Wood
by SKNYPL · London, United Kingdom

SKNYPL is a collaborative studio founded in 2018 by three architects, based in London and Tbilisi. The practice specializes in architecture, spatial and furniture design. Its concepts are not constrained by any single ideology or style, favoring instead a timeless approach that explores ways to popularize contemporary design solutions. Design is viewed as one of the fastest, most convenient, and most effective tools for communicating and expanding the studio’s philosophy, while also serving as a platform to participate in global cultural discourse. It further provides a means to explore new meanings and functions for objects within human environments.A current focus is a series dedicated to wood as a material, featuring objects designed for a variety of spatial scenarios. One key piece from this series—Cabinet+—is being presented this year at Collectible in Brussels and New York in 2024. Developed in collaboration with Sample gallery, Cabinet+ is intended to be more widely produced and universally adaptable. Entirely crafted from wood, its modular components can be assembled in any configuration—both vertically and horizontally—thanks to connectors on all sides, enabling an infinite range of layouts suited to different needs and spaces.Another major undertaking is Dubrava Research, introduced in late 2023. Named for the Slavic term dubrava—“oak grove”—this project focuses on restoring Europe’s once-thriving broadleaf forests, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity and historical significance. Dubrava Research also serves as the basis for a metaverse exploring the future of human–forest coexistence, and several initiatives under its umbrella are planned for the coming year.The studio’s recent appearances include a debut at Edit Napoli 2023 in Naples, Italy, followed by participation in Collectible 2024 in Brussels and New York, and another showing at Edit Napoli in 2024. Sustainability remains at the core of every project. This emphasis is evident not only in Dubrava Research but also in the studio’s collectible design pieces, which increasingly utilize reclaimed wood from sawmills in Georgia.For instance, Living Sculpture is handcrafted from 200-year-old pine salvaged during railroad construction in Tbilisi. Meanwhile, the Six Benches are made from 100-year-old reclaimed wood sourced during house demolitions in Tbilisi. Minimal processing highlights the natural beauty of the material, while colored linseed oil accentuates the varied textures of fir, oak, beech, and pine.