Estonian Art Students Transform Limestone into Striking Furniture

Students from the Estonian Academy of Arts have unveiled a unique furniture collection crafted entirely from limestone. Presented at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, the "Dig Where You Stand" series reimagines the potential of this abundant local material, moving beyond its common use as a surface finish.

Key Takeaways

• Students explored limestone's potential as a solid material for furniture.
• The project aimed to rediscover and reclaim the value of Estonia's limestone industry.
• Designs range from stools and tables to lamps and chairs, each with a distinct character.

Rethinking Limestone's Role

The "Dig Where You Stand" collection features six distinct pieces, including twin stools, a table, and a floor lamp. The project, led by designer Nick Ross, challenged students to acknowledge Estonia's dolomite quarrying legacy while questioning the material's current application, which often limits it to countertops, flooring, and facades.

Ross explained the course's premise: "The premise of the course was that, by researching and learning about our own history, we would be able to regain some control over and understanding of our lives."

A Diverse Collection

The title "Dig Where You Stand" draws inspiration from Sven Lindqvist's book, encouraging a deep dive into personal and local histories. Each student's creation offers a unique perspective on working with limestone:

• Sandra Jõesaar's Boulder Table: A composition of five seemingly precariously stacked limestone slabs.
• Oliver Kanniste's When The Shovel Hits the Stone: A set of two contrasting stools, one polished and the other rough-hewn.
• Henri Kaarel Luht's Rotating Floor Lamp: A large lamp designed to question the perceived weightiness of limestone.
• Hanna-Liisa Haukka's Mirror: A mirror set within a rough-cut limestone cylinder.
• Mõtus Lõmaš Kama's Angular Chair: A tall, geometrically shaped chair.
• Siim Simmermann's Dinner-Table Objects: A pair of abstract pieces inspired by the geological origins of limestone formations.

The collection was showcased in the Greenhouse section of the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, highlighting innovative approaches to material use and design.

Sources

• Limestone furniture created by Estonian Academy of Arts students, Dezeen.