In the tranquil spaces where art meets engineering, a unique creation was born - Carbon Urn: Etearnal. A masterpiece that embodies the eternal rest and the tears that flow in the memory of the departed. This article unveils the journey of its creation, a collaborative effort between the renowned designer Žiga Gorjup and the adept developer Gašper Ovčak of CDT Group.
How did it all start? Gašper, with his lifelong experience as a racer, a producer of carbon, especially motorcycle parts, and a passionate motorcyclist, approached Žiga with an idea - an idea to create an urn, but not just any urn. They envisioned something premium and different, and carbon was their material of choice. “We wanted to go with carbon fiber, because it’s not a standard material for urns - it’s different, a bit eccentric, and premium. The technological part was left to Gašper. He had developed the ACM technology which is the next level in carbon fiber production, and I was thinking about the shape of the urn - what high-end urn can be made using this technology?” explains Žiga.
The design journey was intricate, involving meticulous adjustments to achieve the perfect symmetry, volume, and aesthetic appeal while adhering to regulations. They’ve come up with Etearnal - a tear (or a flame) shaped urn that is the core product line of Carbon Urns. “The first association with grief is a tear. The second association - especially here in Slovenia, Europe, where we are number one in the consumption of candles in cemeteries - is fire, a flame. This shape reflects both - tears of sorrow and eternal flame which represents the memory of the loved ones,” tells Žiga.
Gašper adds that fire and flames also stand for passion and are easily associated with motorsports: “This was my initial idea - as a passionate motorcyclist who loves adrenaline I realized there is no urn in the market that would resonate with me and my personality. So I decided to create one myself. As the idea and the product developed, we of course came up with other materials that resonate with other people who are passionate about what they do - bicyclists, sailors, car racers, outdoor enthusiasts and so on.”
The decision to go with a tear/flame shaped urn was easy, but because of its unique shape and standards (such as the volume of a vessel) they had to follow, there were also some challenges along the way. “The idea started in 2014, Gašper and I worked on this project for several months back then. We have developed three, four shapes, this one was actually the first shape we developed and in the end it turned out that this is also the best one,” explains Žiga. “The project was then put on hold for some time, until 2021 when I decided to focus on this 100%, and then we sort of restarted it - with much more information on what’s needed, what are the standards in the cremation industry and so on,” adds Gašper.
The original pear-shaped design was transformed into a more symmetrical form to facilitate the laying of the twill carbon fiber ply in the lamination process. Every centimeter, every design element was scrutinized and perfected to achieve the masterpiece that Etearnal is today.
The main challenge were the dimensions - they didn’t want the urn to be higher than 12 inches, while allowing for the volume of at least 200 cubic inches. “In the beginning, we designed a cylindrical insert which would be the vessel for the ashes and could be made from different materials. But following the standards for volume, the assembled product would be too high. Then we played around with the design, decided to go with a monocoque full carbon-fiber body, changed the proportions - just for a half of an inch - and then it just happened: a shape and design we both envisioned and felt immediately this is the one,” Gašper explains how they overcame the challenges.
“From the design point of view it’s also important that we wanted to avoid flat surfaces. When using high-end carbon fiber, curved surfaces are the real indicator of excellence in production. Everyone can do a nice flat surface, but curves are a whole different level of complexity. If done properly by a skilled craftsman, using advanced technology, such as ACM, it’s just mesmerizing watching all the reflections and the perfection of the carbon fiber. Of course we needed at least one flat surface for the engravable name plate, so we cut the top of the urn body diagonally - with this, you get a larger flat surface, and on the other hand a nice visual effect, a cherry on the top of the shape of this urn which makes it even more unique and premium,” adds Žiga.
The technical journey was equally rigorous. The urn’s design was not just about aesthetics but also about the complex art of carbon shaping. The shape of the Etearnal urn demanded an experienced laminator, a craftsman who could bring the intricate design to life while ensuring it was not easily replicated.
“This urn is definitely unique also from the technical point of view. Žiga already mentioned curved shapes and ACM technology. I’m a perfectionist myself and I believe also everyone who knows at least something about carbon fiber knows it’s a tricky and challenging material. It’s not difficult to do the basics, but Carbon Urns is not basic. I wanted it to be a statement of perfection and innovation, therefore it is made as a one-piece hollow rounded body, where all my knowledge and experience in carbon fiber, autoclave process and vacuum technology had to be used. It takes a very skilled laminator to place the fibers meticulously and make sure there are no flaws. Volume was already mentioned - the walls of the body have to be extra thin, to get the required volume. Just an interesting fact - a fuel tank for a motorcycle made from carbon fiber has one liter bigger volume than the same size tank made from plastics,” explains Gašper.
Then here comes the paradox - the vessel/the body of the urn is extra light, therefore the base where the vessel is mounted is made from alumium. “This makes sure that the vessel is placed centrally, that it can stand still, and the center of gravity is moved lower. The base weighs down the urn,” says Žiga. Gašper adds: “And the base also has an extra functionality - there’s a DNA compartment in the base, where you can keep a DNA sample, such as a lock of hair, or a USB stick with important memories.”
Such a premium product requires all parts of it to be premium. Here is just one example of what had to be done to make the product they envisioned. During the process of the development, Gašper and Žiga realized there are no screws in the market that would fit the product. So they developed custom screws. “Through the development and manufacturing of high-end custom motorcycles, I have worked on several projects with a German company that specializes in production of premium screws for motorcycles. If you want a nice, top quality screw, it comes with a high price tag. And the owner of this company is very passionate about making everything perfect, this is why this is a perfect match for our urns. The screws are made from aluminum and he developed a special eloxation technique to achieve the desired standard. Then of course we also needed a special tool for (un)screwing. My main requirement was that the tool shouldn’t scratch the screws. And this was a big challenge for the producer,” Gašper remembers.
The Etearnal urn is a fusion of materials. Inspired by the Peugeot design that combined stone and carbon, Žiga and Gašper embarked on a journey to create a unique, personalized masterpiece. The urn is not just a resting place for the departed but a piece of art, an artefact that adorns the spaces it occupies. “Our main goal and guideline was that we didn’t want to design just another urn that would be buried or placed on a shelf as a dust-catcher. We wanted it to be an artefact, a piece of art, something you cherish and adore, something you’re proud of and you put it on your nightstand or in a central place of your living room - an urn that would not disturb but attract you and visitors to your home to look at it and admire it, and, most importantly, evoke positive, warm feelings and memories. Carbon fiber as a material allows for this, and the shape of the urn just follows it,” concludes Žiga.
Today, the Etearnal urn stands as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship, the hours of labor, and the unwavering dedication of Žiga Gorjup and Gašper Ovčak. It is not just an urn but a piece of art that embodies eternal rest and the tears that flow in the memory of the departed.
Every curve, every material, and every design element of the Etearnal urn tells a story - a story of love, loss, memory, and the eternal rest that we all seek in the end.
