This custom circular copper plaque was created for The Singleton whisky distillery’s visitor centre, designed to act as a striking centrepiece that reflects the brand’s story and reinforces its visual identity. Commissioned as part of a wider interior scheme, the plaque was intended not just as signage, but as a permanent branded feature that ties into the heritage and values of the distillery.

The design includes engraved lettering with “THE SINGLETON” arched across the top and “PERFECTLY BALANCED” along the lower curve of the copper circle. These details were carefully laid out to complement the overall geometry of the piece, ensuring a balanced and cohesive finish.

At the heart of the plaque is an intricately engraved depiction of a fish leaping over water – a symbolic and recognisable element of The Singleton’s logo. The engraved image is set against a textured background, intentionally chosen to create visual contrast with the surrounding smooth copper surface. This layering of texture and finish enhances the legibility of the design and gives the piece a tactile, three-dimensional quality.

The engraved areas were treated with a hand-applied aged copper patina to develop a naturally weathered tone, lending the plaque a warmth and richness that speaks to tradition and craft. The result is a refined and durable copper sign that combines strong branding with a timeless design sensibility, capturing the essence of The Singleton’s identity in a single, beautifully made object.

We created this custom copper name plate for Chrysalis Architecture, developed as a reflection of the studio’s design-led ethos and distinctive visual identity. Intended to be both functional and expressive, the piece was designed to sit comfortably within a professional setting while also conveying a sense of creativity and attention to material detail.

The plate is made from a solid copper sheet, precision-cut into a clean rectangular form that gives it a modern, architectural presence. The initials “cao” were custom-designed and cut directly into the surface using high-accuracy equipment, ensuring crisp, sharp lines. These initials serve as a strong visual anchor, while finely engraved detailing surrounding them introduces a subtle level of complexity and finesse.

To enhance its character, a hand-applied patina was used to darken the background, creating a strong contrast that highlights the cut and engraved areas. The lettering was then selectively finished with a flamed copper treatment, which introduces warmth and a varied tonal quality, helping the initials to stand out while maintaining a cohesive, aged appearance.

This project illustrates how a simple name plate can become an extension of a brand’s personality. It combines artisanship with considered design choices, resulting in a piece that projects professionalism, originality and a strong sense of identity – qualities that mirror the values of Chrysalis Architecture.