Designers Daniel Martinez and Jeremy Murier have collaborated on this interesting proposal which was one of the twelve selected finalist projects in the 2011 Competition Émile Hermès.

Called 'Volcanic Casing', the piece is a relay object which can transport heat from a fire; inspired by volcanoes.

Created using only two common materials - lava stone and oak - it's natural, inexpensive, and the complete absence of any electronic system makes it an object which is both durable and fully recyclable.

Working rather like an extremely effective hot water bottle (without the need for messing with water and kettles) you open the case and put the lava stone into a fire for a short time. Once it's heated up, you just re-close the case to preserve the warmth and to protect the user.

We can see many recreational uses for this - such as camping - but due to it's simply machined form and ease of assembly, the idea could have a humanitarian context for use too.

Jeremy Murier and Daniel Martinez started to develop projects together during the Master of Luxury at ECAL (École cantonale d’art de Lausanne).

Currently working for Lacoste, Jeremy Murier has also developed products for several international brands, whilst Martinez works as a teacher in several universities in Spain and South America, as well as running his design agency Nuclistudio.