Khora Vase by Luis Frey frames a single stem through aluminium and restraint
Khora Vase by Luis Frey is a CNC-milled aluminium vase designed in Berlin to hold a single flower. Presented during 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen as part of Deoron, the object examines how a reduced typology can change the way a flower is observed, handled, and valued. Instead of functioning as a vessel for a full arrangement, Khora Vase focuses attention on one stem, using precision, empty space, and material weight to frame a small domestic gesture.
The vase is made from solid aluminium and produced through a combination of digital fabrication and hand finishing, sharing a dedication to raw aerospace metalcraft found in Unavela’s machined espresso objects. Its slim, flat body gives the object an architectural quality, while its polished and waxed surface softens the industrial character of the metal. The design does not hide its method of construction. Edges, openings, and proportions reveal a controlled process in which the material is shaped with technical precision, then refined by hand to retain a sense of individuality.
Khora Vase uses interchangeable needles to support flowers of different sizes. This detail allows the object to function with practical accuracy while maintaining a minimal visual presence. The flower is held upright inside a narrow frame, leaving most of its form exposed. In this arrangement, the vase becomes less a decorative accessory and more a support structure, creating a visual interval between the object, the flower, and the space around them.
The name refers to Khôra, an ancient Greek concept describing an invisible, formless receptacle that allows things to take shape. Luis Frey applies this idea to a contemporary object by designing a vase that gives form to what is temporary without dominating it. The flower remains the changing element, while the aluminium body provides stability, distance, and attention. The result is a collectible design piece that connects philosophical reference with everyday use.
Luis Frey’s practice is shaped by an interest in objects, production, and emotional value within contemporary culture. Based in Berlin, the designer works across furniture, lighting, and collectible objects, developing pieces that combine industrial scalability with visible traces of craftsmanship. After studying Industrial Design at Munich University of Applied Sciences, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in product design at Berlin University of the Arts.
All images courtesy of Luis Frey
