Exposed piping can be a design tool. Why hide the pipes if valuable copper leads to such beautiful porcelain switches ?
photo: Dezeen
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/05/01/shakers-studio-flat-paris-copper-pipes-ariel-claudet/
Artist's house from the beginning of 20-th century. Imagine a plastic modern switch on the wall. Can you ?
Wooden period pattress for ceramic light switches