Celebrating a history of firsts 
Zanat
At Fuseproject, we believe in pushing the boundaries of design while honoring traditional craftsmanship. Our collaboration with Zanat, a Bosnian heritage brand renowned for its UNESCO-recognized woodcarving, resulted in the Rye Stool—a piece that seamlessly blends heritage techniques with contemporary form.
The collaboration began when Zanat’s CEO, Orhan Niksic, recognized Yves Behar’s deep passion for furniture design. Zanat, known for its intricate solid wood carvings, had never explored bentwood construction. Behar saw an opportunity to merge their expertise with a new structural approach, leading to the creation of the Rye Stool.
Taking cues from the organic growth of trees, the Rye Stool features elegantly curved legs that intersect at the base, forming a continuous sculptural shape. This design enhances both aesthetics and structural integrity, introducing a fresh take on traditional woodworking.
Zanat’s artisans meticulously experimented with sustainably sourced woods, ensuring each stool retains its unique grain and character. The stool is offered in multiple finishes and heights, with an optional cushion for added comfort.
The development process was an iterative exchange between Fuseproject’s Lisbon studio and Zanat’s skilled artisans. Through extensive prototyping, we refined the stool’s curvature, assembly, and detailing to achieve the perfect balance of form and function.
Debuting at Milan Design Week, the Rye Stool represents a new chapter in Zanat’s legacy—demonstrating how time-honored techniques can evolve to meet contemporary design sensibilities. This project exemplifies Fuseproject’s belief that design is a universal language, bridging tradition and modernity to create objects that are both beautiful and meaningful.
- Product Strategy
- Product Design
- CMF Design
Category-First
- The Rye Stool is Zanat’s first-ever bentwood design, marking a new direction for the brand’s woodworking legacy.
Sustainable
- Crafted from responsibly sourced wood, the Rye Stool upholds Zanat’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
UNESCO
- Zanat is renowned for its hand-carved woodwork, a tradition that has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
