Caldera
Caldera
Heating things up
THE STORY
Imagine finding a 2000-year-old olive oil bottle perfectly preserved under volcanic rock. Now imagine using that discovery to inspire a modern chilli oil brand. That's exactly what sparked our exploration for Caldera, a concept that would bring together Naples' fiery past and its equally fiery flavours. We set out to create packaging that would tell the story of a region shaped by both volcanic eruptions and culinary traditions.
THE CHALLENGE
How do you bottle 2000 years of history? Our design exploration needed to capture the heat of chilli oil, the legacy of Vesuvius, and the preservation power of volcanic rock – all while creating something that would look beautiful in a modern kitchen. Oh, and make it sustainable too. No pressure.
OUR APPROACH
First up, we discovered 'Caldera' – the perfect name that describes both the cauldron-like crater left by volcanic eruptions and, metaphorically, the vessel holding our fiery oil. But the real magic happened when we looked to ancient Rome for inspiration.
We designed a bottle moulded in terracotta (the OG olive oil container) based on that incredible archaeological find from 79 AD. Then we topped it with a stopper made from carved crystallised volcanic rock, sealed with cork. Because if you're going to tell a story about Vesuvius, you might as well use actual pieces of volcano.
THE IMPACT
This design concept shows what happens when you let history inspire sustainability. By creating a refillable bottle that's both a nod to the past and a step toward the future, we've explored how packaging can be more than just packaging – it can be a piece of history worth keeping.
Imagine finding a 2000-year-old olive oil bottle perfectly preserved under volcanic rock. Now imagine using that discovery to inspire a modern chilli oil brand. That's exactly what sparked our exploration for Caldera, a concept that would bring together Naples' fiery past and its equally fiery flavours. We set out to create packaging that would tell the story of a region shaped by both volcanic eruptions and culinary traditions.
THE CHALLENGE
How do you bottle 2000 years of history? Our design exploration needed to capture the heat of chilli oil, the legacy of Vesuvius, and the preservation power of volcanic rock – all while creating something that would look beautiful in a modern kitchen. Oh, and make it sustainable too. No pressure.
OUR APPROACH
First up, we discovered 'Caldera' – the perfect name that describes both the cauldron-like crater left by volcanic eruptions and, metaphorically, the vessel holding our fiery oil. But the real magic happened when we looked to ancient Rome for inspiration.
We designed a bottle moulded in terracotta (the OG olive oil container) based on that incredible archaeological find from 79 AD. Then we topped it with a stopper made from carved crystallised volcanic rock, sealed with cork. Because if you're going to tell a story about Vesuvius, you might as well use actual pieces of volcano.
THE IMPACT
This design concept shows what happens when you let history inspire sustainability. By creating a refillable bottle that's both a nod to the past and a step toward the future, we've explored how packaging can be more than just packaging – it can be a piece of history worth keeping.
