Mamai-Cale

Case description

We delivered a comprehensive suite of custom-designed furniture for the Mamai-Cale resort restaurant in Sochi. By deeply interpreting the vernacular language of the Southern Caucasus wilderness, we crafted a dining environment nestled within the forest that exudes a profound sense of natural tranquility.

The core challenge of this project lay in ensuring material durability amidst a demanding mountain climate. The high humidity, intense UV radiation, and acidic leaf litter characteristic of the Sochi mountains often cause wooden furniture to crack, develop surface mold, or suffer from permanent discoloration. The client urgently needed a solution to address the aesthetic degradation and excessive maintenance costs typically associated with outdoor solid-wood furniture subjected to both environmental erosion and high-frequency commercial use.

We implemented a specialized system designed to adapt to alpine climatic conditions. To meet weather-resistance requirements, we utilized solid wood modified through a high-pressure vacuum impregnation process; this technique blocks moisture penetration at the cellular level, ensuring that the solid-wood dining tables remain free from deformation and resistant to insect infestation. For the soft furnishings, we selected advanced outdoor technical fabrics featuring resistance to acids and alkalis, as well as strong oil-repellent and self-cleaning properties, effectively shielding them from the corrosive effects of falling leaves. To harmonize with the space’s wild, natural aesthetic, the furniture was crafted using “Live Edge” techniques—preserving the wood’s organic contours—and finished with a hand-applied charring treatment, allowing its texture to blend seamlessly into the forest surroundings.

Throughout the complex cycle of seasonal transitions, the furniture has demonstrated exceptional physical stability, with the natural luster of the materials growing even richer and more mellow with the passage of time. As the owner remarked: “This custom furniture system strikes a perfect balance between the raw, natural aesthetic of the forest and the rigorous demands of commercial operations, providing our guests with a consistently relaxing and comfortable experience, even amidst the most challenging outdoor conditions.”