Archtwain

Archtwain

Archtwain Design Studio makes oversized games as design objects. The premise is straightforward: take a game everybody already knows, build it at a scale that makes it a feature of the room, and finish it well enough that it still looks deliberate when nobody is playing. What Sterling Chess stocks from them is that range, in metal and wood, wall-mounted and freestanding.

These are not mass-produced boxed games. Each one is handmade to order, which is why lead times vary and why slight natural variation in grain and finish is part of what you receive rather than a fault in it.

How the studio works

Every piece is built after it is ordered. That has two consequences worth knowing before you buy. The first is time: there is a production window rather than a shelf, and the current one depends on what else is being built. The second is character: on the wooden pieces the grain differs board to board, and on the handmade metal work small variations are inherent to the process.

The Mega Chinese Checkers board is design patented by the studio, which is worth noting because it is an original wall game rather than an oversized copy of a boxed product.

Materials and construction

• Rust-resistant metal. Used on the freestanding games, and the reason those two handle outdoor conditions. Weather covers are included with Balls and Balance and available for the Freestanding XXL Four in a Row.
• Powder-finished metal. The wall boards, in black, white or the colourful star layout of the Chinese checkers board. Clean edges and enough depth to read as an object rather than a panel.
• Natural wood. Used on Mega Tic Tac Toe, in a warm brown, with magnetic pieces. Handmade, so grain variation differs between boards.
• Panel construction. The Giant Chess Wall Game is built from 64 separate 14 x 14cm squares applied individually to the wall, which is what lets it sit flush with no visible frame or fixings.

Choosing within the range

Start with where it is going. If it is going on a wall, wall games is the shortlist. If drilling is not an option, or the game needs to move, the freestanding pieces are the answer. If you already know which game you want, the individual pages are four in a row, Chinese checkers, giant sudoku and giant tic tac toe.

Lead times and warranty

Every game in this range is made to order rather than held on a shelf, so lead times vary with production. Contact the team before you order and we will give you the current timeframe for the game you want.

These games are backed by a 2 year limited manufacturer warranty covering manufacturing defects. If you need assistance, our team is only a call or email away.

Browse related

• Giant games. The oversized range in full.
• Wall games. The wall-mounted boards.
• Traditional games. Organised by the game rather than the format.
• All brands. The other makers stocked alongside Archtwain.

Archtwain FAQs

Is Archtwain handmade?

Yes. Each piece is handmade to order, and slight variation in grain and finish is a characteristic of that rather than a defect.

How long is the lead time?

It depends on current production. Contact the team before ordering and we will confirm the timeframe for the game you want.

Can Archtwain games be used outdoors?

The rust-resistant metal freestanding games can. Giant Balls and Balance ships with a weather cover and the Freestanding XXL Four in a Row has one available. The wall boards are interior pieces.

What warranty do they carry?

A 2 year limited manufacturer warranty covering manufacturing defects.