This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we speak with SKNYPL.

C: Why do you focus on contemporary collectible design? What does it mean for you?

SKNYLP: Our office specializes in architecture, and collectible design is one of the fastest, most convenient, and effective tools for conveying and developing our design philosophy, as well as participating in the global cultural discourse. It is also a way to explore new meanings and purposes of objects within the human environment.

C: Can you talk about a new piece / collection that you release for COLLECTIBLE this year?

S: We are currently working on a series dedicated to wood as a material and to objects with multiple spatial usage scenarios. A part of this series is Cabinet+, which we are presenting this year at COLLECTIBLE. Cabinet+ is a piece created in collaboration with the Sample gallery, but it is a more mass-produced and versatile object. We first showcased it at Collectible in Brussels. Cabinet+ is made entirely of wood. Its elements can be combined in any order, both vertically and horizontally, thanks to connectors on all sides. This allows for an endless number of combinations, adapting the object to various needs and spaces.

C: What have you been up to recently? What are the next projects/exhibitions you wish to highlight?

S: At the end of 2023, SKNYPL initiated the Dubrava Research, a project aimed at recreating the broadleaved forest ecosystems that once thrived across Europe. Named after the Slavic term "dubrava," meaning "oak grove," the project focuses on restoring these vital ecosystems, emphasizing biodiversity and historical significance. Several significant projects related to this initiative are expected throughout the year. Last year, we made our debut at Edit Napoli in Naples, Italy, followed by participation in the 2024 COLLECTIBLE in Brussels. In early September, we are scheduled to participate in COLLECTIBLE in New York, and in October, we will once again take part in Edit Napoli.

C: How do sustainability-related questions influence your practice?

S: The issue of sustainability is at the core of all our recent projects. Dubrava Research, a project aimed at recreating the broadleaf forest ecosystem, is becoming the foundation of a metaverse dedicated to the future of interspecies coexistence between humans and forests.

This focus extends to our collectible design objects, where we are currently working with wood, including wood waste found at sawmills in Georgia. For example, Living Sculpture is handcrafted from 200-year-old pine, sourced from waste materials during the construction of railways in Tbilisi.