Using a deliberately non-traditional approach, we collaborated closely with Atelier Works to realise a unique series of donor casts for the Royal College of Art. Departing from conventional donor plaques with raised lettering, the design proposed text recessed directly into the surface of each cast, placing greater emphasis on materiality, shadow, and subtlety rather than overt legibility.

Translating this concept into a manufacturable outcome required extensive technical development and prototyping. Particular attention was paid to letter depth, edge definition, and scale, as recessed typography presents specific challenges within the sand-casting process. Letterforms that were too fine risked collapse during mould preparation, while insufficient depth could compromise clarity in the finished cast. Through iterative testing, we refined the typographic detailing to balance the original design intent with the practical constraints of casting.

To produce the final iron elements, we developed 21 individual 3D models, each precisely engineered to form the basis of the sand moulds used in casting. These models allowed for consistent reproduction while accommodating the nuanced variations required across the series. The resulting casts retain the tactile quality and material weight intended by the original design, demonstrating how careful prototyping and technical resolution can support ambitious, concept-led outcomes without compromise.