SMOG DESIGN STUDIO

SMOG Design Studio, based in Kraków, Poland, transforms discarded industrial materials and everyday waste into high-end lighting and furniture. Founded by designer Szymon Hanczar, the studio sources materials from demolition sites, factories, and scrapyards — including old copper pipes, industrial glass, and reclaimed wood — to create bespoke interior products. Each piece is unique, embracing the marks, patina, and imperfections of its source material as design features rather than flaws. The studio's philosophy centres on 'material honesty': celebrating visible signs of previous use and industrial heritage. Products retail at premium price points, demonstrating that perceived quality and desirability can increase when imperfections are framed as authenticity markers. SMOG has been featured in Dezeen, Wallpaper*, and at Milan Design Week, establishing that upcycled products can compete in the luxury segment. The studio also runs workshops teaching other designers how to work with reclaimed materials.