Sligo design studio run by husband and wife recently granted a European patent

Outcrop, a Sligo-based design studio founded by Aran and Maeve Pudney, creates handcrafted wooden 3D maps that blend Irish craftsmanship, sustainability, and personal storytelling. Each map is precision-cut from layers of custom-made, formaldehyde-free bamboo plywood and housed in a framing system inspired by traditional Japanese magewappa craftsmanship. The studio offers more than 100 mapped locations across Ireland, with new areas added regularly to help customers find a meaningful “Local Spot” for father figures. Materials are FSC-certified, non-toxic, and finished with an Atlantic blue stain inspired by Ireland’s west coast. Pieces are fully biodegradable or compostable, assembled without nails or screws, and finished with a wooden clip. Outcrop received a European patent for its round framing system, designed to ship flat and reduce transport volume using a small wooden connection inspired by the Sligo Chair’s tusk tenon joint.

"Handcrafted in Sligo, each map is precision-cut from layers of custom-made, formaldehyde-free bamboo plywood and housed within the studio's framing system, inspired by traditional Japanese Magewappa craftsmanship."

"Sustainability remains at the core of the brand. Every piece is created using FSC-certified materials, non-toxic glue and Outcrop's signature Atlantic blue stain inspired by Ireland's west coast. The maps are fully biodegradable or compostable, assembled without nails or screws, and finished with a wooden clip for a clean, contemporary finish."

"Outcrop has recently been granted a European patent for its round wooden framing system, developed by co-founders Maeve and Aran in their Sligo workshop. The design grew from a practical sustainability challenge: how to create a high-quality frame for their circular landscape maps without relying on bulky imported frames, MDF, rainforest timber or unnecessary material use."

"The system is designed to ship flat, reduce storage and transport volume, and be assembled without glues or nails, using a small wooden connection inspired by the tusk tenon joint found in the 'Sligo Chair' (a three-legged chair with a very distinctive design)."

Read at Irish Independent