The wall that gives a project its character is rarely found in a catalogue. Bespoke architectural relief panels — three-dimensional cast surfaces whose motif, format, and finish are defined per project — are how an architect carries an element of their own design language onto the wall. But bespoke follows a different process from buying a standard product: the best result comes when you involve the maker at the design stage, not at tender.
The guide below walks through the path a custom panel takes, from first idea to finished installation. Each step is designed to remove, up front, the uncertainties that become expensive to resolve later in the process.
The Process in Eight Steps
Commissioning a bespoke panel comes into focus once the following eight parameters are defined. Settling these early makes both pricing and lead time predictable.
- Brief and context. Define where the panel will sit (lobby, restaurant, bar, lift hall), the approximate wall area, and the panel's role in the project (feature wall, continuous surface, single statement piece). Discuss lighting direction early — relief reads by catching light.
- Reference and motif. The motif can be developed from an existing design language, from a pattern, or from scratch. Share any image, sketch, or 3D file you have; if there is none, this is where concept development begins.
- Material. Choose Lumina PMAG™ for interior applications, or Lumina PUCOMP™ for exterior, wet-area, or high-detail work. The decision is context-driven; both accept the same artisan finishes.
- Sample. How a surface catches light does not read fully on a render. Request a physical sample — a motif fragment or finish swatch — before committing to production.
- Format and m². Establish the maximum panel size, nominal thickness, and total surface area. Format drives both the mould strategy and the panel weight.
- Artisan finish and colour. Define the finish system, colour reference (RAL, NCS, or custom match), and sheen level. Surface choice directly shapes how the three-dimensional relief is perceived.
- BIM and documentation. Request the BIM object, technical drawings, and material data sheet for specification and coordination. Placed into the model early, clashes are resolved at the design desk, not on site.
- Fixing and substrate. Clarify the substrate type and fixing method. Deep-relief panels can exceed the load capacity of a standard partition wall — see the Specification Guide for detail.
A Typical Timeline
A bespoke panel moves through four main phases. The durations below are indicative and vary with surface area, motif complexity, and mould count; for current, project-specific timing see the Lead Times page.
| Phase | Scope | Indicative Time |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Concept, motif development, sample approval | 2–4 weeks |
| Mould & Production | Master making, mould-taking, casting and artisan finishing | 4–8 weeks (m²-dependent) |
| Delivery | Packing and shipment — EXW Sapanca | By project location |
| Installation | On-site fitting — where required, quoted per project | Per project |
The single step that most determines the timeline is sample approval. Requesting the sample before the design decision is locked shortens the production schedule by weeks. For detail on when to make contact, see Lead Times & Project Planning.
The Material Decision: PMAG or PUCOMP?
The choice between the two materials is almost always context-driven. The summary below is enough for the decision; for weight and structural data see the Weight & Structural page.
How Pricing Is Structured
The price of a bespoke panel is project-specific and does not reduce to a single m² figure. Three components set it: the level of adaptation in the design (an existing collection pattern, a project-adapted variation, or a fully bespoke design), a one-time mould and tooling cost, and a per-m² unit price that scales with production volume. The unit price is quoted on an EXW Sapanca basis; installation, where required, is priced separately per project. For a project-specific quote, get in touch.
Delivery and Installation
Panels are delivered EXW Sapanca; shipping and customs arrangements are planned by project location. Studio Luminant undertakes installation where the project requires it — a line item quoted separately per project, not folded into the m² price. The scope of installation should be defined early, against the substrate type and fixing method.