Liminal Flow
A limited-edition sand timer commissioned by the Holburne Museum, exploring the liminal space between past and present.
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problem
Commissioned for the Holburne Museum’s Up Late exhibition, the project responds to the challenge of creating a souvenir that meaningfully reflects the museum’s architectural and cultural identity, rather than functioning as a purely decorative object.
solution
Liminal Flow translates the Holburne’s dual architectural language into a functional sand timer, using contrast in form, colour, and material to embody the dialogue between historic grandeur and contemporary intervention.
Drawing from the vertical fins of the museum’s modern extension and the muted tones of its classical façade, the object balances acrylic and cast concrete to frame the passage of sand as a metaphor for time, transition, and continuity. Beyond its symbolic role, the piece functions practically as an egg timer.
Developed in close collaboration with the museum director and retail manager, the design was refined for small-batch production, material feasibility, and retail appeal. A limited run was produced and sold through a pop-up exhibition within the Holburne, allowing visitors to take home a tangible reflection of the building that inspired it.
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