Each Frank Buchwald Machine Light is meticulously handcrafted in his Berlin studio, combining time-honored techniques with precision-engineered components. The process unites mechanical craftsmanship, industrial design, and artisanal metalwork to create sculptural lighting pieces of lasting quality. Materials such as stainless steel, solid brass, and hand-blown glass are carefully selected and assembled with uncompromising attention to detail. From custom screws to finely balanced arms, every element is made either in-house or in collaboration with trusted local workshops — with no part mass-produced.
The design process begins with an idea shaped by mechanical logic, industrial clarity, and a sense of form rooted in function. Each Machine Light evolves through countless sketches, prototypes, and adjustments, shaped by hand and guided by experience. Manufacturing takes place in my Berlin studio. Here, traditional metalworking techniques meet precise, custom-built components. From the smallest screw to the structural armature, every part is either made in-house or by trusted local workshops. I work with stainless steel, brass, and hand-blown glass, selected for their strength, texture, and longevity. Each piece is assembled, adjusted, and finished by hand. No automation, no mass production — just deliberate, patient work that gives each object its own identity.
The Machine Light Series is a collection of meticulously crafted models, produced in small, limited runs. Each piece is composed of up to 200 individual parts, including hand-blown globes (Type 01), ensuring every light is a unique creation. The steel and brass components are shaped from raw materials and hand-burnished to achieve a distinct, textured black finish with subtle brown undertones. Brass elements are finely polished, while the steel is given a smooth, silky-matte surface.
The lights feature black and yellow textile cables, partially encased in flexible brass tubes, adding both function and industrial flair. Fitted with exposed filament bulbs or yellow-evaporation light tubes, the Machine Lights radiate a captivating, warm glow.
Another hallmark of this collection is the Nixie Clocks – Time Machines, made from brushed stainless steel and powered by six Nixie tubes. These glass tubes, filled with neon-based gas, contain a wire mesh anode and layered cathodes shaped like digits. When voltage is applied, the chosen digit emits a mesmerizing orange glow.
Nixie tubes, first introduced in the 1950s, offer a distinctive and nostalgic time display. These modern renditions, crafted by hand by Dalibor Farny, who also developed the electronics for the Nixie Machine series.
All models are produced in Berlin, Germany, with a lead time of at least three months depending on the design. Custom creations are available upon request, offering a truly bespoke experience.
© 2001-2025 Frank Buchwald Design. All rights reserved Imprint - Data Privacy - Contact
