The finely crafted 'Anachron' series by Studio Lugo pays homage to Anatolian tradition

The Anachron series by Studio Lugo, founded by Turkish designer Doruk Kubilay, highlights the subtlety of Turkish craftsmanship with an expressive product design collection. Comprising two tables, a console, different seatings, a multi-functional totem and lighting designs, the furniture series cites the landscapes of Turkey and Anatolian rituals as inspiration. The name of the stringently geometric designs references their anachronistic aesthetic, with the Istanbul-based design studio drawing from Anatolia's rich agricultural past and natural terrain.

In deference to the landscape's rich material traditions, the Anachron collection—which was debuted at Milan Design Week 2025, at Villa Bagatti Valsecchi for Alcova's showcase—employs a rich wooden base, accentuating its warmth with specially woven fabric by a local brand, metalwork, ceramics and horsehair. It is the furniture designs' deep material palette that not only lends it the sense of anachronism and hence timelessness, but also brings out the delicate workmanship that has gone into crafting every piece. Each, in different ways, achieves a balance between the softness of rounded edges and the sturdiness of the linear structural elements.

For instance, the console that is part of the collection is made up of circular discs supported by round timber membranes. These, in turn, are accentuated with a subtle metal claw and horsehair, creating a dialogue between softness and hardness. The side table employs a similar design language, with a depression in one of the wooden membranes meant to hold incense as it burns. The table tangibly illustrates the question at the heart of the Anachron collection, as stated in the official release: "How might ancient wisdom manifest in contemporary objects?"

While the geometrical language of the designs emphasises their contemporariness, it highlights their primitive nature at the same time. In the lighting designs, for example, the simple, linear form is interjected with a touch of dynamism introduced by a metal insert. The totem similarly employs elements that add a touch of dynamism to the otherwise solid design. The tension between an industrial smoothness and the texture of the handmade is most apparent in the seating designs in the collection. A bench and a stool are crafted from the same warm wood as the rest of the pieces and accentuated with metalwork and horsehair.

These seats are upholstered with Kutnu fabric, especially woven by Kutnia Crafted Fabrics. Their characteristic stripes and sheen add an ornateness to the collection's narrative while subtly referencing traditional headscarves—an indispensable accessory of Anatolian women. With Anachron's wooden furniture, Studio Lugo envisions tradition in a manner that not only feels bespoke but is suited for contemporary tastes.