Daniyar uderbekov`s biodegradable felt armchair draws on nomadic lifestyles and kazakh yurt


Designboom_ Kazakh designer Daniyar Uderbekov unveils his latest creation, the Danik’s Felt Armchair furniture collection, designed and manufactured with sustainability in mind. Inspired by the rich heritage of a nomadic lifestyle and drawing from the iconic design of the yurt, this collection captures the essence of a natural, warm, and inviting environment sought by modern individuals amidst the ever-changing challenges of contemporary life.

Each armchair and ottoman’s construction utilizes just a single large piece of consciously-sourced felt, ensuring a cohesive finish, wrapped around a durable 3D-printed frame. And with a lifespan of 70-80 years, the pieces offer longevity of use. At the end of their service life, they can be disposed of hassle-free, as all materials used in their production are biodegradable, ultimately benefitting the environment by enriching the soil.

At the heart of Daniyar Uderbekov’s collection are the Woi-Lok chair and ottoman, which pay homage to the traditional culture of the Kazakh people while embracing the distinctive aesthetics of the yurt. The chair’s self-supporting wooden frame, crafted using 3D printing technology, combines minimal material usage with structural rigidity, resulting in its unique visual form. The upholstery of the chair is made from natural felt, a durable, breathable material that has been utilized by communities for centuries since antiquity. In addition, in an era where sustainable design choices are paramount, felt stands out as an ethical option as it is sourced from animals in a responsible manner. Further, the designer has also utilized DIY principles, and each piece of the Danik’s Felt Armchair collection can be easily assembled like a construction set, requiring no additional tools.