Steven Haulenbeek's Ice-Cast Bronze Process Turns Natural Forces Into Collectible Design

Steven Haulenbeek, an American artist and industrial designer, creates collectible furniture, lighting, and sculptures by harnessing unpredictable natural processes. Since 2011, he has developed his unique Ice-Cast Bronze technique, which entails shaping ice blocks and then pouring molten wax into their interiors or letting it flow over the icy surfaces. The wax forms are later utilized in a lost-wax bronze-casting method. As the ice melts, its unique features—such as ridges, bubbles, and cracks—are captured in bronze. This approach transforms fleeting ice formations into lasting pieces like mirrors, side tables, or sculptures. Each creation reflects the specific moment and conditions of its formation, while Haulenbeek also incorporates reclaimed foundry sand and resin, inviting elements like weather and chance into his designs.