Tag Archives: copper

A Copper-Wax Lamp Revives a Slovak Forge and Glows Like Stained Glass

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Industrial heritage sites have a way of disappearing quietly. The machinery goes silent, the workers move on, and the buildings either get repurposed or left to rust. What rarely survives is the craft knowledge, the particular way a community understood and worked a material. Slovakia’s copper-processing history is one of those stories, rooted in a small central region that once hummed with the sounds of metalwork and fire.

That’s the history Laura Zolnianska, a student at the Slovak University of Technology’s Faculty of Architecture and Design, decided to pull back into the present. Exhibited at BASE Milano as part of the 2026 Fuorisalone UNFOLD showcase, Echoes of Copper is a lamp collection drawing from the copper-processing traditions of Medený Hamor in central Slovakia, combining them with digital fabrication and an entirely experimental material of her own development.

Designer: Laura Zolnianska (Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Design)

The material is the most interesting part. Zolnianska created a copper-wax composite that forms the shades, a substance that behaves differently every time it’s worked. Some shades come out smooth and disc-like, with swirling oxidation patterns that look almost planetary when lit. Others emerge heavily textured and volcanic, their deeply pitted surfaces catching and scattering light in ways that can’t be planned or predicted. No two pieces are the same.

Each lamp sits on a polished copper cylinder base with a matching copper-toned cord. When lit, the shades glow a deep amber orange, with translucent sections illuminating like stained glass while the denser, hammered areas cast dramatic, irregular shadows. The warmth of the light feels almost geological, as if it’s being filtered through something that took centuries to form rather than a material coaxed into shape in a studio.

The project isn’t purely a lighting exercise, though. Zolnianska designed Echoes of Copper around a workshop model where participants can create their own version of the lamp at the former Medený Hamor site itself. The idea is to bring people back to a place of faded industrial significance and give them a hands-on connection to the craft traditions that once defined their community.

Medený Hamor, which translates roughly to “Copper Hammer,” was a copper-processing site in central Slovakia’s Banská Štiavnica region, an area with a centuries-old metallurgical history. Using that heritage as a creative prompt rather than a museum exhibit is itself a meaningful design decision. Of course, craft doesn’t have to end up behind glass to be preserved; sometimes it ends up glowing amber on someone’s bedside table.

Echoes of Copper was exhibited at BASE Milano during Milan Design Week 2026 as part of UNFOLD, a student showcase bringing together emerging designers from institutions across Europe. It’s the kind of project that deserves more attention than student exhibitions typically get. Zolnianska didn’t just make a lamp; she made an argument that industrial communities don’t have to lose their identity to time.

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Copper jacket can protect you from the weather and diseases (even in space)

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Jackets are more than just fashion accessories, especially if you live or visit areas with extreme weather conditions. We’re seeing a lot of brands that come up with lines that can withstand the cold, rain, snow, etc but also will make the wearers look good when sporting them. Volleback is one such brand and we’ve seen several products from them that use materials that are not the usual we see in most of these apparel. Now we’re getting a Full Metal Jacket that is made from one of the most advanced materials available – copper.

Designer: Volleback

When you think of a jacket made from copper, you might think it’s something pretty heavy and bulky. But the process that they made to use copper in this jacket line is pretty interesting. They used 11 kilometers of copper for each jacket, using copper that is both extremely strong and malleable at the same time. Rods of electrolytic industrial copper pass through a machine repeatedly and turns them into thin copper strands. These yarns are then layered with thin coats of lacquer and go through a 6-day curing process and then laminated with an advanced waterproof and breathable membrane called c_change®.

The entire jacket is made from 59.5% copper, 20% polyurethane, 20% polyamide, and 0.5% other metals and is waterproof (fully seam-sealed), windproof, and breathable. Each Full Metal Jacket has 2 fleece-lined zipped side pockets; 2 giant front bellows pockets with angled storm flaps, 2 zipped upper chest pockets concealed behind storm flaps, and 1 zipped internal pocket. Despite the seemingly heavy material and all these features, the jacket is not bulky at all and looks pretty lightweight. There are three colors available – black, copper, and silver.

The reason why they chose copper as a material for this edition is that it can be used for disease-resistant clothing since it’s biostatic. In fact, NASA is now experimenting with the material to create medical instruments that can be used in the International Space Station to protect astronauts. So if we eventually get to space in the future, then this jacket can also help protect us from infection and diseases.

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This ultra-minimalist pen stand makes your writing partner the center of attention

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We all have our favorite writing instruments, be it an heirloom fountain pen or even a number 2 pencil. You’ll probably just stuff the latter in drawers or leave them strewn on your desk, but the pen that has been with you for years is something you’ll probably want to show off while keeping it within easy reach. Pen stands exist for that exact purpose, but some of them try to compete with the pen for attention. They have extravagant and luxurious designs that defeat the intention of putting your favorite pen on a pedestal. That’s the trap that this tiny pen stand tries to avoid by practically removing all non-essential features that prevent you from showing off your trusty writing partner.

Designer: Kairi Eguchi

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What stand could be simpler than an upright cylinder with a whole in the middle that’s just enough to fit a single pen? After all, a pen stand’s purpose is to hold the writing tool for easy access while showing it off when not in use. Anything else is just excess and waste that burdens the product both visually and functionally. That’s the kind of minimalist design that this small and simple stand embraces, but that doesn’t mean it’s a plain and boring desk accessory. In fact, it is ironically one of the most beautiful pen stands around, especially if you favor minimalist designs.

Your eyes will be immediately drawn to the stand’s diminutive size. At only 52.5mm (around 2 inches) tall, it has just enough space to hold a small portion of the pen, leaving the majority of the barrel unobstructed and free for everyone to behold. Despite its small size, however, the stand is able to, well, stand without tipping over due to the weight of the pen. In fact, the stand itself tilts a little bit to one side, an intentional design that makes it easier to pull out the pen quickly when you need to jot something down.

The trick to the Centroid Stand’s unbelievable feat is in its construction, which also accounts for its two-tone color finish. The top half of the stand is made from polished aluminum which gives it a stylish luster, while the lower half is made from heavier copper that shifts the center of gravity lower, making it more stable regardless of its tilt or the weight of the pen that it holds. These two dissimilar materials, joined together using a friction welding process, give the stand a rather distinct flavor, one that is both playful and elegant at the same time. Copper also develops a unique patina over time, adding to the stand’s character as it grows old with you.

Showcase your Everlasting All-Metal Pencil with the ultimate stand.

Beautiful in its simplicity and ingenious in its functionality, this ultra-minimalist pen stand offers a perfect view of the writing instrument that it holds. Due to its minimalist design, it is the perfect complement to equally minimalist pen designs, such as the Everlasting All-Metal Pencil that will last as long as this unconventional stand. It is a glowing example of how simple designs, when done right, can exude a kind of beauty that gently draws your eyes without distracting from the attention that your favorite pen or pencil rightfully deserves.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95.

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The Copper Harbour House Is A Raw, Rugged But Comfy Cabin Designed For Mountain Bikers

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If you’re looking for a stunning little cabin in the woods to get away to and relax, then you’ve reached the right place. Cabins are by far the best type of vacation I’ve come across. They’re a peaceful and tranquil option to abandon your urban life and woes, and simply unwind in nature. If you’re wondering where to head for your next cabin retreat, you can refer to this collection of beautiful and super cozy cabins we’ve gathered. They’re the perfect safe haven nestled in the midst of nature, providing a break from your everyday hectic life. And we’ve found a pretty awesome cabin for you – meet the Copper Harbor house!

Designer: Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Designed by the US architecture firm Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects, the Copper Harbour house is located on the rugged Keweenaw Peninsula with fantastic views of Lake Superior – which is the largest Great Lake in North America. The quaint cabin features a sturdy shell built from weathering steel, giving it a homely yet rugged feel. The cabin is tucked away in a “very remote destination with an industrial history”.

The cabin is designed to be modern and minimal, a perfect abode for a couple who love mountain biking. The home is meant to withstand the extreme weather conditions of the area. “Set in a very remote destination with an industrial history, Copper Harbor blends into the shoreline while standing out with its unique design,” said Seattle-based Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects. The home occupies 1400 square feet and includes two volumes that are conjoined with a central circulation spine.

Quite interesting, there is a building located behind the cabin which serves as a bike workshop. The cabin and workshop are separated using a patio which functions as an “exterior room protected from the wind”. All three buildings are covered in a rugged exterior shell built from corrugated steel. Since the shell is made using pre-rusted steel, it has an intriguing orangish shade that references the color of the soil. “The solidity of each shell is contrasted with a wall of glass providing light, directing views, and extending the living space out on cantilevered decks toward the water,” concluded the architects.

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