Completed openwork brass relief featuring two crowned lions, a heraldic shield and the inscription Gospoda nad Rabą, mounted on a stone wall.

Corporate Openwork Relief – Brass Sculptural Composition

From Sand Casting to Architectural Integration

The openwork brass relief was commissioned as an architectural composition incorporating a corporate emblem, heraldic figures and individually formed lettering. Developed and executed within Kostylo Atelier, the work translates graphic identity into a permanent sculptural presence within the built environment.

The composition is defined by the relationship between open space, heraldic relief and the rhythm of the surrounding letters. Rather than treating the emblem as conventional signage, the project approaches it as an architectural object whose visual identity emerges through material, proportion and craftsmanship.

 The process began with the preparation of individual models in PVC. Each component was developed for sand moulding before being cast in brass, establishing the foundation for the subsequent stages of hand-finishing and assembly.

PVC letter models for the Gospoda nad Rabą architectural brass relief, prepared for sand casting at Kostylo Atelier.
Sand casting mould in a rectangular moulding box, prepared for casting components of the corporate brass relief at Kostylo Atelier.

Following casting, the individual elements were filed, ground and progressively adjusted to achieve the required relationships between their forms. The openwork emblem, measuring approximately 100 × 100 cm, required the integration of numerous components within a unified structure.

Cast brass heraldic shield with a decorative monogram, undergoing hand-finishing at Kostylo Atelier.
Cast brass components of a heraldic relief, including two crowned lions and a central shield, arranged for fitting and assembly.
The prepared brass elements were joined through silver soldering. This stage demanded careful alignment and control of the junctions, allowing the heraldic forms and lettering to retain their individual definition while becoming part of a continuous composition.
Brass heraldic relief components laid out on a metal workbench, with crowned lions, a central shield and decorative elements prepared for silver soldering.
Openwork brass heraldic relief with two crowned lions and decorative elements positioned on a workbench during assembly at Kostylo Atelier.
Openwork brass heraldic relief with two crowned lions, a central shield and decorative elements laid out on a workbench after hand-finishing.
Brass heraldic relief with two crowned lions, decorative foliage and KOŁDRAS lettering, arranged on a workshop table for surface refinement.

Once assembled, the relief underwent further surface refinement and polishing. The brass was brought to a high-gloss finish, allowing light to articulate the modelling, edges and open spaces. A protective lacquer was subsequently applied to preserve the finished surface against tarnishing.

Close-up of the brass openwork heraldic relief, with sculpted lion and shield elements prepared for hand polishing at Kostylo Atelier.
Openwork brass heraldic relief with two crowned lions and decorative elements laid out on a workbench during the surface polishing stage.

The installation required a dedicated mounting template to establish the position and alignment of the relief and lettering on the stone-clad wall. The relationship between the metal composition and its architectural setting was resolved through proportion, spacing and placement.

Polished openwork brass heraldic relief with two crowned lions, a central shield and decorative elements, shown after surface polishing at Kostylo Atelier.
Completed polished brass heraldic relief with two crowned lions, central shield and KOŁDRAS lettering, prepared for installation.
Installation of the brass corporate relief and lettering on a stone-clad wall, with scaffolding in place at the mounting stage.
Mounted brass lettering reading Gospoda nad Rabą on a dark wall, forming part of the completed corporate relief installation.

The completed relief brings together openwork brass, heraldic symbolism and individually formed lettering within a unified architectural composition. Installed against the stone-clad wall, the polished metal establishes a dialogue between sculptural form, proportion and its surrounding space.

Mounted openwork brass corporate relief with two crowned lions and polished lettering, shown in angled view on the client’s wall.
Close-up of the installed brass heraldic relief, showing the polished shield, monogram and sculptural openwork details.

Explore the completed architectural relief and its sculptural details in the Kostylo Atelier  Portfolio.