OLLIS
Client: OLLIS
Project: Foundry Pan
Year: 2025
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Industrial Design
Detail design
Design for Manufacture
OLLIS began as a project between friends who share a passion for food but were frustrated by a market dominated by outdated cookware brands and cheap imitations.
Our goal was to reinvent cast iron by combining trusted ethical craftsmanship with contemporary design to create a high-quality product that will last a lifetime and fit today’s modern kitchens, homes, and cooks.
From framing the idea and designing the product to finding suppliers and structuring the Kickstarter campaign, we guided the whole process from start to finish.
A new archetype
OLLIS is a 2-in-1 cookware piece that reimagines the humble Cast Iron Skillet and Dutch Oven, combining the best of both kitchen essentials into a single, beautiful design – The Cast Iron Foundry Pan. The Skillet has deep sides for sauces or pasta and doubles as the Dutch Oven lid, while the Large Pot is spacious enough for families and dinner parties. Combined together, they create the perfect Dutch Oven.
Thoughtful Design
The Foundry Pan’s handles are a standout feature, combining both functionality and character. Designed for a secure grip, they improve stability while reducing heat transfer, ensuring safer and easier cooking and serving.
The cooking area has been thoughtfully sized – not only large enough for family meals and dinner parties but also perfect for smaller dishes.
Space saving is really important in the kitchen, that’s why we design the Skillet and Large Pot to be always stackable.
The light, high-gloss enamel interior is easy to clean, resistant to stains and odors, and keeps your cookware looking and performing at its best.
The Foundry Pan journey
We were able to design from concept, prototype to manufacture, and test everything in-house over 18 months, refining every aspect of The Foundry Pan – from optimising wall thickness for weight while preserving key cooking qualities, to testing handle designs for comfort and safety. The result is a contemporary yet timeless design that stands out in any kitchen.
A new cooking and serving experience
A pan designed for the centre of the table, inviting everyone to gather around and share. Its excellent heat retention ensures that food not only cooks perfectly but stays hot long after it’s been served.
Design to last
The average pan lasts just two years, with nearly 80% ending up in landfill. This is due to non-stick surfaces containing harmful ‘forever chemicals’ that deteriorate quickly with use. Once scratched or damaged, these surfaces become unsafe, making the pan unsuitable for further use.
In contrast, Cast Iron is virtually indestructible, making it a true heirloom piece that improves with age. It offers superior cooking performance on all heat sources and is infinitely recyclable, reducing environmental waste.
