The path hereFrom a workshop in Mariupol to 21CNCStudio.
Before 2022, I lived in Mariupol, Ukraine, where I had my own workshop and built custom furniture and CNC projects. When the full-scale war began, I had to leave the city, my home and the workshop behind.
After reaching the UK, I started again with a small diode laser. I designed my own files because the models I downloaded rarely fitted as they should. That practical frustration became 21CNCStudio.
The work grew from laser-cut models into 3D printing, electronics and useful devices that combine physical design with software. Today, 21CNCStudio designs have reached makers in more than 65 countries.
How Aura beganA monitor I first built for myself.
I wanted one clear screen for particles, CO₂, gas activity and room climate. I also wanted the device to work locally, without requiring a cloud account or subscription.
I put the early project on MakerWorld crowdfunding mainly to see whether anyone else needed it. The response went far beyond what I expected: 2,692 people backed the campaign, it raised USD 90,490, and the open-source project passed 700 GitHub stars.
What began as one air-quality monitor is now growing into the Aura ecosystem: local devices, room sensors, a shared Hub and the optional Aura AQ Link service.
What I write aboutMeasurements, sensors and the rooms behind the numbers.
I write about subjects I work with while developing Aura. My goal is to make the measurements useful without pretending that one number can describe an entire room.
- Indoor CO₂ and ventilation
- Particles and air pollution
- VOC and NOx sensors
- Temperature, humidity and pressure
- Sensor limitations and placement
- DIY electronics and local-first monitoring
Editorial approachPlain language, visible sources and honest limitations.
I use primary and authoritative sources whenever health or safety is involved. I separate measured facts from assumptions, explain uncertainty, and avoid treating Aura AQ as a medical device or certified safety alarm.
