Custom Iroko Sun Loungers – Villa Anamarija in Momjan

ByJernej Pirc

Some projects do not truly end in the workshop. They find their real story only in the place for which they were made. I built these two wooden sun loungers in 2020 for Villa Anamarija, the Zupanc family home in Momjan, Croatian Istria, only a short distance across the Slovenian border.

Momjan is a remarkable place. A medieval castle ruin rises above the Istrian landscape, while the surrounding slopes open towards the Bay of Piran and the sea. The area has calm, character and an unmistakably positive energy. The loungers therefore had to feel equally at home there: comfortable, solid and personal.

An adapted plan and a width of 80 centimetres

The construction was based on a plan published in the German magazine Selber machen, but I adapted it to the client’s wishes. Miha wanted a wider and more comfortable lounger, so the final width is 80 centimetres. A change like this requires more than increasing a few measurements. The flowing curve, structural stability and even rhythm of the slats all have to remain in balance.

Prepared iroko components for two custom wooden sun loungers
Preparing matching components accurately is essential when building a pair of loungers.

Iroko for outdoor use

I chose iroko for the project. Its warm colour, distinctive grain and suitability for outdoor furniture fit naturally into the Istrian setting. Each component was carefully machined before the grooves, joints and overall fit were checked.

Machining a curved iroko component for a wooden sun lounger
The long shaped components define the characteristic line of the lounger.
Building the supporting frame of an extra-wide wooden lounger
The supporting structure was adapted to the increased width of 80 centimetres.
Detail of the wooden joints in the lounger frame
Dry fitting helps verify the geometry and fit before glue is applied.

Villa Anamarija – a personal dedication in wood

The engraved Villa Anamarija inscription is the most personal detail of the project. The name is not merely a property label; it is Miha’s dedication to his wife. This small detail turns functional outdoor furniture into something connected to the people and the place for which it was made.

Engraved Villa Anamarija inscription in iroko wood
The engraved name gives the project its personal identity.

Gluing, clamping and assembly

Assembling the repeated slats required patience. The spacing had to remain consistent while the curved surface stayed smooth and comfortable. Several pipe clamps were used during gluing to distribute pressure across the full width.

Gluing the wooden lounger slats with pipe clamps
Even clamping pressure helps preserve the geometry of the wide seating surface.
Clamping iroko slats during construction of the sun lounger
Both assemblies were clamped systematically in the workshop.

Once the main sections were complete, I assembled the lounger and checked its stability. Only at this stage can the relationship between the support curve, backrest and seat be judged as a complete form.

Assembled iroko sun lounger in the workshop
The completed shape before final finishing and installation.
Rear view and slat layout of the wooden lounger
The rear view reveals the rhythm of the slats and the curve of the structure.

Finished with tung oil

The final surface was protected with tung oil. It deepens the warm tone of iroko while retaining the natural appearance and feel of the wood. As with any oiled outdoor furniture, the surface should be inspected and refreshed when exposure to sun and weather makes this necessary.

Finished iroko sun lounger after applying tung oil
Tung oil brings out the warm colour and grain of iroko.

From the workshop to the pool in Momjan

The pair found its proper place beside the pool at Villa Anamarija. The view across the Istrian hills towards the Bay of Piran and the sea makes the loungers more than furniture; they are an invitation to slow down.

Pair of wide custom iroko sun loungers in the garden
Two completed custom loungers ready for use at Villa Anamarija.
Wooden sun loungers beside the pool at Villa Anamarija in Momjan
The completed project in its Istrian setting overlooking the landscape towards the sea.

The villa is known for more than its view. My friend Miha Zupanc is a true gourmet, and his dishes from the grill and fireplace are known far beyond his circle of friends. This combination of good wood, food, friendship and place gives the project a meaning that no technical drawing could capture.

Iroko sun loungers beside the pool in winter
Even in winter the loungers remain a distinctive part of the setting.

A project that became part of the place

What I value most about this project is how a technical adaptation became a personal story. The magazine plan was only the starting point. The 80-centimetre width, iroko wood, tung oil and Villa Anamarija inscription turned it into a unique pair made specifically for Miha, his family and their special place in Momjan.

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