Daniel Soffia
Woodcarver
Quetroleufu, Chile
Mapuche heritage in architectural wood
- Using driftwood, Daniel designs and carves wooden pieces inspired by Chile’s ancestral cultures
- Le Corbusier’s Modulor ergonomics influence his furniture designs
- Pucón's natural scenery drove him to pursue a practice rooted in craftsmanship
Daniel Soffia hand carves solid wood furniture inspired by nature, human ergonomics and Mapuche heritage. Raised in a family of craftspeople and architects, he graduated from the Central University of Chile in 2006 before shifting from architecture to woodwork. "Throughout my years of study and practice, I have found inspiration in the works of Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe, Eames and Le Corbusier," he says. After relocating to Pucón in 2018, surrounded by rivers, forests and volcanic landscapes, Daniel developed an organic approach to his craft. Among his signature creations is his reinterpretation of the wanko, a traditional Mapuche stool symbolising ritual and community life. Daniel was awarded the 2023 Chilean Seal of Excellence and the 2024 Southern Cone Award for Excellence in Handicrafts.
INTERVIEW
In Pucón, I lose myself in meditative contemplation of nature. While crafting, time ceases to exist. There is also an unspoken equilibrium of reciprocity with the forest, the river and the community.
I admire their respect for their ecosystem, which inspired me to repurpose driftwood from nearby rivers. Unlike my previous practice, Mapuche craftsmanship is purely artisanal, created for domestic or ceremonial use. Beyond its form and materials, the wanko offered me a new perspective on furniture design, rooted in conversation and communal life at ground level.
My work combines architecture, industrial design, traditional craft and cultural heritage. Through self-taught wood carving and research, I began designing my own wanko furniture. I discovered a profound interest in ergonomics, specifically how body posture functions at different levels of activity and social settings.
People are often moved by the spirit of my pieces and their curved, concave forms that capture subtle interplay between light and shadow. Every surface is carved with deliberate care. My work is sought after by the local Mapuche community, architects and collectors, all of whom value this distinct fusion of craft, culture and design.
Daniel Soffia
Woodcarver
Quetroleufu, Chile
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Quetroleufu, Chile
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+56 990001310
LANGUAGES
Spanish, English
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