Our own materials for Explore objects

Over the years, material development has become an increasingly important part of Explore alongside object design.

Some objects called for a material with very specific qualities: lightweight, easy to shape and work with, and with a surface that could become part of the object itself. Searching for the right material led to experimentation, and those experiments gradually developed into a system of our own.

This is how Explore’s paper–mineral composite, the Explore Mineral Mix paint system developed for it, and Explore Velvet wax came into being.

Explore Lab is where this development work takes place.

Paper–mineral composite

It starts with paper fibre.

Combined with mineral components, it forms the composite now used for several Explore objects. The material is lightweight and easy to shape, becomes hard once dry, and can be worked in various ways. It can be used to create both three-dimensional forms and flat elements, and can be drilled and painted. Its surface retains the small irregularities of hand-forming.

The development began with lamps, and further possibilities emerged along the way. Different forming methods allow the same composite to become very different kinds of objects.

The making process has evolved alongside the composition itself. Forming, compacting, drying and finishing are now all parts of the same production technology.

The material’s behaviour when exposed to fire is a separate area of development. Workshop tests so far have produced promising results, and the next step is laboratory testing.

Explore Mineral Mix

Developing our own material naturally led to developing our own paint system.

Explore Mineral Mix is Explore’s mineral paint system, developed specifically for the objects I make. It creates a matt surface that works with the character of the composite and preserves its natural texture.

A distinctive colour palette is developing alongside the paint system. I mix the colours from pigments: earth tones, muted greens, ochres, terracottas, deep blues and those in-between shades that are often difficult to name.

Each colour goes through several stages before becoming part of the palette. Mixing is followed by test samples, and once dry, the colour, surface and its interaction with the material are evaluated.

Some shades find their place quickly. Others take a rather longer route to get there.

Explore Velvet

The third element of the system is Explore Velvet, our own naturally based wax developed in the workshop.

I use it as the final treatment for painted surfaces. It subtly deepens the colours, evens out the finished surface and provides a fine protective layer while preserving the material’s matt character.

Explore Velvet is developed alongside the composite and the Mineral Mix paint system. All three follow the same principle: they need to work well together and create the kind of surface I want for Explore objects.

One system, many experiments

Behind every finished Explore object lies far more material and work than remains visible in the final piece.

Test pieces, material samples, drying experiments, colour samples, strength tests and fire tests are all part of the development process in the workshop. Some take an idea further; others show which direction is worth pursuing.

Through these experiments, Explore’s own material system has gradually taken shape:

paper–mineral composite, Explore Mineral Mix, Explore Velvet – together with the production technology developed around them.

Explore Lab is the workshop behind this system: this is where the tests are carried out, the materials evolve, and proven solutions make their way into Explore objects.