Designboom·design·4 minukrainian designer victoria yakusha seeks softness through memory and material repair
Ukrainian designer Victoria Yakusha is known for her unique approach to design, emphasizing tactile materials and a philosophy she calls "live design." Her work incorporates natural elements like clay, straw, linen, wood, and recycled fibers, creating thick, textured surfaces that reflect the labor and touch involved in their making. This aesthetic is rooted in the principles of Radical Softness, where the materials used retain their natural characteristics, resulting in spaces that feel connected to the landscape and cultural histories.
Based in Kyiv, Yakusha's designs span architecture, interiors, and furniture, all linked by a consistent material language that prioritizes raw textures and handmade irregularities. Her interiors are characterized by muted acoustics and surfaces that evoke a sense of memory and continuity, avoiding decorative nostalgia while drawing on Ukrainian craft traditions and domestic rituals. The furniture from her FAINA collection often resembles geological formations, showcasing the beauty of natural imperfections.
A standout innovation in her work is ztista, an experimental material made from a blend of clay, straw, wood chips, cellulose, and recycled paper. This material emphasizes environmental reciprocity and low-impact production, creating tactile forms that are dense and absorbent. The surfaces of ztista change subtly under different lighting, enhancing the sensory experience of the spaces she designs.
Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yakusha's work has taken on deeper significance, focusing on cultural preservation and collective endurance. Her designs serve as vessels for memory during times of instability, fostering a sense of intimacy and protection through their materials and craftsmanship. Yakusha's spaces are intentionally designed to resonate with the body, prioritizing emotional endurance over visual excess, and creating environments that reflect a profound connection to both the past and present.
Dezeen·design·2 min