Nick Falzone, owner of Nick Falzone Design in Alemeda, Calif., has just started out in his business, but he has big dreams for manufacturing a line of designer wooden computer cases.

Falzone studied architecture at California Polytechnic State University, where his roommate made custom computer cases as a hobby. At first, Falzone thought it was a great creative exercise, turning a mundane piece of technological equipment into a work of art. But after seven years of practice, he feels the time is right to “go pro.”

“Designing and building computer cases has enabled me to combine my love of woodworking with technology to create some unique machines using wood, aluminum, and acrylic fabrication,” says Falzone. “The Japanese shoji design seemed like the natural theme for these projects and I’ve sort of progressed from that.”

Computer cases, which are basically decorative enclosures for the monitor, keyboard and hard drive, are ripe for mass production, according to Falzone.

“Most of the computer parts are standard so they should all be the same sizes and dimensions. My designs are collapsible so they can be readily shipped. The tricky part is to make them so they will work with future systems as well.”

Falzone is pricing his work between $500 and $1,000. For information, visit www.nickfalzonedesign.com.

This article originally appeared in the July 2012 issue.