Textile or wood? The “Wooden Textiles” by Berlin-based designer Elisa Strozyk

In her ​“Wooden Textiles”, Berlin-based designer Elisa Strozyk combines the flexibility of fabric with the sculptural aesthetic of wood, redefining the boundaries between material, art and craftsmanship.

For more than a decade, Elisa Strozyk has been revolutionising the world of design with her material alchemy. Her​“Wooden Textiles” – a hybrid of wood modules and textile – now adorn luxury boutiques, galleries such as Salon Design (in collaboration with photographer Sarah Lee), and, in 2025, the Hermès store in Berlin. ​“The realisation that the principle of textiles can be applied to other categories and materials, and the freedom to experiment, encouraged me to work with wood and develop the Wooden Textile,” says Elisa, summarising her master’s degree in ​“Future Textiles” at Central Saint Martins in London, where she learnt about the application of textile techniques as technical solutions for aircraft construction or artificial organs.

From the loom to a vision of materials

Elisa’s training also included traditional textile techniques such as weaving on a loom. Her development can be understood as a dialogue between craftsmanship and a vision of the future, which ultimately led her to the question:​“What if wood looked and felt like fabric?” The result was a ground-breaking material that is hard yet flexible; organic yet geometrically precise. ​“Every element is placed by hand – this slowness is my statement against the throwaway society,” says Elisa. She has always had a passion for materials and surfaces that feel pleasant, and the sense of touch is often at the centre of Elisa’s work: ​“With ​‘Wooden Textile’, my main aim is to make it possible to experience the material wood in a new way through touch. We are used to touching wood in its solid state. I wanted to create a surface that is fluid and flexible – like a textile.”

Tactile philosophy in 3D

Elisa works in her studio as if it were a research lab: the ORI Collection, a room divider made of folded wooden textiles, is inspired by origami and has a metallic shimmer depending on the light. The Ceramic Mirrors are characterised by ceramic surfaces where streams of glaze leave frozen traces of movement – ​“like geological layers of time”. Woven-Glass is made from glass strips that are pre-formed in the oven and then woven into textile light sculptures. ​“Many of my works are about materials and their physical state. What interests me about ceramics and glass is that they can become both liquid and solid,” explains Elisa.

Ageing with dignity

For Elisa, sustainability means creating objects that you learn to love, rather than replacing them. With projects such as the ​‘Miss Maple’ pendant lamp, whose wooden lattice functions as a sculpture by day and as a light source by night, she proves that in her world, every material is a chameleon and every touch is a journey of discovery. One of Elisa’s aims is to establish an emotional connection to the object and thus a (shared) aging in dignity: ​“I just showed my work at the Maison & Objet trade fair in Paris. It was great to experience people’s direct feedback when they saw the Wooden Textile for the first time. They don’t expect such a flexible material to be made of wood. I really value these surprising moments and the appreciation of the craftsmanship.”

What are Elisa Strozyk’s sources of inspiration?

Three answers from the designer

Special places

Last year, I was invited to take part in the Wood Land group exhibition curated by Alice Liechtenstein at Schloss Hollenegg. The designers had explored the material wood in a variety of ways – a very enriching exchange. Schloss Hollenegg itself is like a cabinet of curiosities – every room contains beautifully designed furniture and design objects from different eras. Using the colours and patterns of the tiles in the castle bathroom as inspiration, I designed a wooden textile especially for this place.

A glimpse of nature

My work is also inspired by naturally occurring forms and structures. I work a lot with wood and am always fascinated by its many different appearances in terms of colour, structure and unique grain.

Wanderlust meets craftsmanship

I love travelling to get to know the traditional practices and cultural techniques of different countries. I am particularly impressed by Asia – as the photo from Bangkok shows. I am always amazed by the elaborate ornamentation and precise craftsmanship of different cultures.

Short interview

Three questions for Elisa Strozyk

Art, design or craft?

The artistic aspect of my designs is functional. I want my work to surprise, inspire and to highlight what makes each piece unique. For Wooden Textile, each wooden triangle is placed by hand and attached to the supporting fabric – this time-consuming process is a key feature of the work. The precision of the craftsmanship makes the design recognisable as a unique piece that cannot be reproduced by machine, something which underlines its special value. It is important to me that my work is not only visually appealing, but also provides a haptic experience. Bedspreads, lamps, curtains or sculptural pieces of furniture represent functional art for the home. Even with ceramic projects such as side tables or mirrors, each object remains a handmade unique piece.

How can one visualise the creative process?

The ORI collection, for example, combines principles of origami with the innovative Wooden Textiles — the flexible hybrid material, stabilised by metal structures, allows wood to be folded like paper. This creates three-dimensional shaped surfaces with a multifaceted play of light for designer lamps and architectural room dividers. The Gradient Collection, on the other hand, is based on hand-dyed wood with precise colour gradients. With transparent substrates, the wooden applications look translucent and appear to float.

What are you currently working on?

We are currently designing the interior concepts for the Hermès store in Berlin. Since most of my projects are realised abroad, I rarely get the chance to see my finished work in person. It’s very exciting to work on a project in my hometown of Berlin this time.

elisastrozyk​.com

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