Woak returns to Milan Design Week with a collection that continues its exploration of contemporary wood furniture. From April 7 to 13, 2025, the Bosnian company presents a new series of designs at Convey, a newly opened venue on Via Rosolino Pilo 14. The presentation, developed by /àr-o/ studio, brings together works by Francesco Faccin, Geckeler Michels, Andrea Steidl, and Gio Tirotto. Together, they offer new interpretations of wood through formal experimentation, technical precision, and material honesty.
A Platform for Contemporary Craft
Woak, known for its deep engagement with wood and cross-cultural references, anchors this presentation in a structural installation by /àr-o/ studio. The display features ceramic platforms resting on a wooden grid, creating a visual balance between lightness and weight. This framework allows each piece to stand alone while remaining part of a larger spatial rhythm.
The staging supports Woak’s ongoing goal: combining traditional techniques with new thinking. Rather than lean on nostalgia, the brand works with contemporary designers to bring functional form and material research into current design discourse.
New Pieces from the Collection
Francesco Faccin introduces Diner, a chair that exemplifies structural clarity and material control. Built from solid oak or walnut, the design features a milled detail that adds refinement and visual lightness. A hidden beam supports the seat and extends to form the arms in the version with armrests. Available in several finishes, Diner reflects Faccin’s approach to design through precision and minimal elements.
Gio Tirotto’s Mies collection includes a sideboard and a container-side table that reference the structural rigor of Mies van der Rohe’s architecture. Based on modular logic, these pieces work in multiple interior settings, from residential spaces to public environments. The collection’s standout piece, a solid wood magazine holder with a rolling aluminum-edged shutter, references the Berlin Neue Nationalgalerie and features a cantilevered surface that functions as a tabletop.
Geckeler Michels contributes Signet, a series of wooden trays and hanging mirrors that center on geometric refinement. Subtle grooves along the frame edges suggest recessed volumes, adding depth without complexity. The collection comes in three sizes and finishes, offering adaptability across rooms while maintaining a unified visual language.
Andrea Steidl presents Blok, a modular bookshelf that draws inspiration from the Brutalist housing blocks of Belgrade. The design includes horizontal wooden boards with bold grain patterns and cylindrical supports. Configurable by shelf count, Blok adapts to various uses while referencing architectural mass and repetition.
Context and Approach
The installation also includes the Rudi stool by Zaven, introduced in 2024 and featured again for its alignment with Woak’s direction. Together, the collection reflects the brand’s interest in material clarity, structural play, and strong collaborative relationships.
Woak sees each collaboration as part of a wider framework of shared knowledge. By working with designers from different backgrounds, the company collects diverse influences while maintaining consistency through material focus and formal language. The result is a growing portfolio of work that reflects openness and curiosity without compromising identity.
