MONK — From Hotel to Collection

2/16/2026

Monk was conceived within a broader architectural vision for Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. In 2013, following their acclaimed work on Design Hotel Lone in Rovinj, studio 3LHD approached the redesign of the hotel’s rooms and restaurant as an opportunity to articulate a distinct identity shaped by context rather than simply update the interior. Furniture was understood as part of that architectural whole.

Within this framework, Monk took shape as a bespoke chair, conceived by studio Grupa and brought into being through Prostoria’s product development and production. Informed by the region’s modernist heritage, its design favoured structural clarity and restraint over stylistic expression, aligning naturally with the architectural logic of the space.

From Project to Product

Developed in close dialogue with the space, Monk combined material restraint, comfort, and a calm, unobtrusive presence. Its clarity and ease of use soon revealed potential beyond its original setting. At the time, studio Grupa was already collaborating with Prostoria on the 3angle armchair, one of Prostoria’s earliest products. That shared experience, together with Prostoria’s commitment to in-house development and manufacturing, opened the possibility for Monk to evolve from a site-specific solution into a product.

Rather than being adapted after the fact, the chair transitioned naturally into production, retaining the qualities that had defined it within the architectural context.

Structural Logic and Modernist Heritage

The Monk chair draws from the region’s modernist heritage through a quiet emphasis on clarity, balance, and restraint. Rather than relying on stylistic cues, its design is rooted in a disciplined approach to construction, informed by the structural logic of Niko Kralj’s Lupina chair — not as a formal reference, but as a way of thinking. This approach allows Monk to remain adaptable, unobtrusive, and enduring across different interiors.

Zentral café & restaurant, Collalbo, Italy

The Penthouse at Thirty Anderson, Melbourne, Australia

“Our reference to modernism was never formal. It was structural. We were interested in logic, proportion, and construction rather than appearance.”
— studio Grupa

The Cube building, Zagreb Croatia / Kockica, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Developed in 2013, Monk initially comprised an upholstered easy chair and chair with wooden legs, accompanied by a matching coffee table. Its construction is based on two connected bent plywood shells, upholstered and subtly elastic, paired with independent wooden legs. This logic provides both support and softness while maintaining visual restraint.

Early production constraints played an important role in shaping the design’s simplicity — a quality that became one of Monk’s defining strengths and continues to guide the collection today.

A System That Expands

Conceived as a system from the outset, Monk expanded naturally as Prostoria’s production capabilities grew. The independent upholstered shell allowed for the development of new typologies, including metal sled bases for office use, swivel chairs with castors for conference spaces, bar stools, and later solid wood dining tables and benches.

Across all variations, the collection maintains consistent proportions, comfort, and a quiet, recognisable expression. Each new element extends the system without altering its core logic.

One Collection, Many Contexts

Today, Monk functions across a wide range of interiors, from hospitality and workplace environments to residential settings. It adapts to different uses and scales while preserving its identity — a collection shaped by architectural thinking, refined through production, and validated through everyday use.

Tekst: Tatjana Bartaković