Foster & Partners, founded by Lord Norman Foster in 1967 is an international architecture firm based in London. Known as the world’s leading architectural and design practice, they are known for designing buildings and structures such as the Gherkin in London and the Hearst Tower in New York.
Foster & Partners were working with the Silverhand Estate, a vineyard in the heart of Kent, to create their ‘KYNG’ flagship wine – an ode to their rich heritage and the legendary King Ludd, who they take their name from. With designs by world renowned architect, Lord Norman Foster, Silverhand wanted to create bespoke collectors packaging with a premium feel for the launch event of KYNG. The partnership approached Clyde Presentation Packaging (CPP) via our online meeting booker and booked a meeting the same day.
The Need
Foster & Partners and Silverhand required packaging that would go beyond traditional luxury, creating a memorable experience that resonated with the prestige of the KYNG wine.
The challenge was to develop packaging that could seamlessly integrate the artistic vision of Lord Norman Foster while reflecting the company’s dedication to sustainability. Additionally, the packaging needed to be functional, offering more than just aesthetic appeal and all of the above needed to be achieved within a strict deadline to meet the demands of the upcoming launch event.
After discussing the requirements, we opted for wooden tube packaging. The reason for this was it is a material that spoke to the premium nature of the product, protected the bottles and could integrate a wine cooler for dual purpose design.
When the project started, many further challenges became apparent:
- Wooden tubes aren’t readily available, meaning they needed to find a reliable supplier
- The client requested a false base to the tube in order to create a shadow gap
- The client was particular about the wood grain; they wanted to ensure it could be done vertically for aesthetic purposes
- The lip of the cooler didn’t cover the full edge of the tube due to the thickness of the edges so we had to create a metal trim that matched to the cooler and was bonded into the wood
At Clyde, we love a challenge, so we got to work immediately!
How We Helped
In keeping with the sustainability ethos that CPP share with Foster & Partners, our design team concentrated on how the packaging could serve multiple uses.
CPP worked to incorporate Lord Norman Foster’s design for the outer packaging with a wine cooler inside so it could be enjoyed again for years to come.
Silverhand had previously struggled to source a wine cooler that would fit within the desired measurements of the wooden container. We stepped in and were able to source the perfect solution that could be integrated into the packaging. Various premium wood colours and options were assessed to suit Silverhand’s requirements.
Additionally, they wanted to integrate a QR code into the wooden packaging, which allowed them to enhance their connection to the buyer.
The Clyde team went through several iterations of packaging with the client – it’s incredibly important to us that we deliver something that delights – we produced an initial sample for review, using feedback from this process to make final tweaks and changes until the end result was perfect.
With the launch date set, the timeframe for packaging production was limited. Once the product was ready, we arranged for a courier to travel to Glasgow, collect the units, and deliver them to the London Hilton for that evening’s launch.
Critic Feedback
“In its bespoke Foster-designed wine-cooler (it doesn’t make much sense to call it a mere package) that is truly architectural in its heft and scale.” – The Buyer
“The bottles are available in limited edition wood and stainless-steel packaging designed by Lord Norman Foster. Once opened, it doubles as a high-quality wine cooler, a further nod to sustainability as it is designed to last a lifetime.” – The Drinks Business
Create unforgettable moments with bespoke packaging from Clyde Presentation Packaging
We were thrilled to be a part of this unique project, working with Foster & Partners and Silverhand to bring their vision for bespoke, sustainable packaging to life. We look forward to working with them on future campaigns.
To learn more about how Clyde Presentation Packaging can elevate your brand with unique premium packaging, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our expert team.
