Atelier Kairos X Eliza Yokina

Atelier Kairos’ hand-knotted rugs merge contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship in the spirit of sustainability. Using natural, ethically sourced materials, they celebrate slow design, cultural dialogue, and timeless beauty. The studio is led by architect Eliza Yokina, partner at Cumulus Architecture and award-winning creator, whose poetic, narrative-driven approach shapes both space and objects.

INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES AND AWARDS

• Three-time winner, Bucharest Architecture Annual, incl. 1st prize (Object Design, 2014) for 11Houses
• Architecture Annual Award for collective housing (2021); CATTIA (2020); nominee, Mies van der Rohe Award
• Grand Prize, Romanian Publishing Industry Gala (2012) for Dreams About Houses
• Jury member for national design competitions and university juries
• Exhibitor at international events, incl. Vienna Design Week (2018) and Central de Diseño Madrid (2017)

ABOUT THE EXHIBITED OBJECT

Kukeri rug

The Kukeri rug collection draws inspiration from Bulgaria’s ancient Kukeri ritual, a UNESCO-recognized tradition of Thracian origin. Performed at the year’s start, men in fur costumes, masks, and bells dance to chase away evil spirits. Blending fear, joy, and ecstasy, this ritual symbolizes power, renewal, and a deep connection to the unseen—values reimagined through the rug’s design.