Large dark textured circular stone or metal disk against a black background

Umbra

Object design: Arcano

2026

Umbra is a reflective metal surface designed by Arcano, conceived as an object that shifts between material presence and optical illusion. Available as a circular piece in 110 cm and 220 cm diameters, the surface can also be custom-made to fit virtually any shape or dimension.

For this project, Umbra was explored in two contrasting environments: a fictional architectural space and a working equestrian stable. The juxtaposition highlights the object's ability to transform its surroundings, reflecting architecture, light, movement and atmosphere while becoming an integral part of the space itself.

  • Black-and-white photograph of a horse standing in a stable beside a large circular object, with another horse pictured in the background.

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  • An image of the Cultural Center.

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  • An image of the Cultural Center.

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  • Black-and-white photo of a dark horse and a white horse in adjacent concrete stalls.

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  • Black-and-white photo of a white horse standing in a stable doorway, with a saddle-mounted dark horse silhouette in the foreground.

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  • Black-and-white abstract architectural collage with geometric structures, circular forms, and the text “UMBRA CONCEPT STUDIES.”

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  • An image of the Cultural Center.

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  • Minimalist interior with curved concrete walls, columns, and polished concrete floor

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  • Collage of monumental tan concrete architecture with curved walls, sculptural courtyards, doorways, and desert mountain landscapes under dramatic skies.

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  • Minimalist interior with a narrow open doorway in a textured plaster wall and dramatic sunlight and shadows

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  • Fashion model in a black leather trench coat and sunglasses standing before a large circular backdrop, with a close-up portrait below.

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  • Abstract architectural interior with curved raw concrete walls and tunnel-like openings

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  • Dark conceptual portrait of a man in sunglasses and a long coat beneath a large circular spotlight, reflected in multiple horizontal panels.

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  • Interior of a dark stone chamber with a large circular ceiling opening, streaked walls, and two doorways.

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THE OBJECT

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Umbra is a reflective metal surface designed by Arcano, conceived as an object that shifts between material presence and optical illusion. Available as a roumd piece in 110 cm and 220 cm diameters, the surface can also be custom-made to fit virtually any shape or dimension.

Large black circular object on a light gray background
Dark, nearly black image with a narrow vertical slit of light near the center. 
Material & Surface Study

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The project began with an in-depth study of the material and its reflective qualities. Different surface behaviours, reflections, distortions and lighting conditions were explored to understand how Umbra interacts with its surroundings.

Following the material and surface studies, the 220 cm Umbra was developed as a 3D product visualisation, allowing the object to be explored beyond a static product representation.

A short video was also created to further demonstrate the changing reflections and optical qualities of the surface.

Two Worlds

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Umbra was ultimately presented through two contrasting environments, each offering a different interpretation of the object.

The first is a real, tangible space: an equestrian stable. The second is a fictional, AI-generated environment, a monumental, dystopian architectural world combining interior and exterior spaces.

The two settings create a deliberate contrast between the physical and the imagined, while exploring the same object through radically different atmospheres.

Black-and-white photo of two horses in adjacent concrete stalls with a large circular mirror between them
Futuristic dark room with a large glowing circular ceiling light and concentric rings on the concrete floor 
The Equestrian Space

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The first setting is a real equestrian environment, where both the 110 cm and 220 cm versions of Umbra are placed within the existing architecture.

The aim was to create a slightly oppressive, pulsating atmosphere while retaining the tangible qualities of the real space. The roughness of the stable, the scale of the architecture and the presence of the reflective metal create a tension between something raw and physical and something almost surreal.

Black-and-white photograph of a horse standing in a stable beside a round wall mirror reflecting its head.
Black-and-white photo of a horse standing in a stable doorway beside a round mirror.
Black-and-white photo of two horses in separate concrete stalls beside a large round metal feeder.
High-contrast black-and-white photograph of a horse standing in a stable beside a large round mirror. 
The Fictional World

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The second setting moves into a completely fictional environment generated with the help of AI. A dystopian and monumental architectural world was developed, combining atmospheric exterior landscapes with immersive interior spaces.

Rather than functioning simply as a backdrop, the environment was designed as an extension of the object's visual language, vast, mysterious and slightly unsettling, with Umbra acting as a recurring element within the world.

Abstract close-up of curved, unfinished concrete architectural surfaces and arches
Dimly lit curved concrete hallway with tall walls and a low barrel-vaulted ceiling. 
The Character

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Before developing the final scenes, the character appearing within the fictional environment was developed independently using AI.

Multiple character variations were generated and explored before selecting a final direction. The chosen character was then developed through a series of close-up portraits, full-body studies and fashion-editorial images, establishing a consistent visual identity for the project.

High-contrast black-and-white portrait of a serious Black man wearing a black turtleneck and leather jacket against a dark background
Dimly lit portrait of a man in a black coat and glasses, shown in profile beneath a large circular reflective surface
Side-profile portrait of a Black man wearing a black leather jacket and turtleneck against a dark background
Side-profile portrait of a Black man wearing a black leather jacket against a dark background
Close-up monochrome portrait of a Black man pressing his temples and forehead with both hands. 
Building the Space

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The fictional environment was developed progressively. Initial explorations focused on generating conceptual views from different points within the imagined space, allowing the overall architectural language and atmosphere to evolve.

Once the visual direction was established, specific locations and camera positions were defined and developed as fixed scenes. These final environments then became the basis for the moving-image production.

Empty concrete industrial interior with a large oval recessed ceiling light
Dimly lit concrete interior with massive cylindrical columns and curved walls
Minimalist brutalist concrete interior with curved walls, massive cylindrical columns, and a polished concrete floor
Dimly lit interior of a brutalist concrete building with angular walls, pillars, and open passageways.
Dimly lit concrete architectural interior with curved walls, angular ceiling, and a smooth concrete floor.
Dimly lit contemporary concrete interior with curved and angular walls, pillars, and a smooth polished floor.
Minimalist concrete interior with curved walls, a large circular skylight, and a dark central doorway
Curved concrete corridor with dramatic recessed lighting and smooth architectural walls
Interior of a dark, weathered concrete cylindrical room with a domed ceiling, circular skylight, and two black doorways.
Dark, unfinished circular stone chamber with two doorways and a circular skylight casting beams of light.
Dimly lit circular concrete chamber with a domed ceiling, skylight, two doorways, and a beam of sunlight on the floor
Dark circular concrete chamber with a large glowing skylight casting radial beams across the floor
Futuristic dark circular room with a large glowing oval ceiling light and concentric rings on the floor
Modern interior with a large circular stone feature wall, warm wood paneling, and a dark doorway.
Minimalist interior with textured plaster walls, an open dark-framed doorway, and dramatic sunlight and shadows on the floor.
Close-up of dusty brown metal elevator doors meeting at a corner 
From Still Images to Motion

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The fixed scenes were transformed into short AI-generated video clips, introducing movement, atmosphere and subtle changes within the environments.

The individual clips were then edited together into a final sequence, creating a continuous visual narrative that moves between different spaces, perspectives and moments.

Umbra Within the Environment

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Throughout the fictional world, Umbra appears selectively within the architecture. In some scenes it functions as a clearly identifiable object, while in others it becomes partially integrated into the environment, interacting with light, reflections and surrounding forms.

This allows the surface to move between being an object within the space and becoming part of the space itself, reinforcing the central idea of Umbra as something existing between presence and absence.

Black-and-white collage of modern architectural interiors with large text reading “UMBRA CONCEPT STUDIES.”