Glass for Public Buildings

Glass with a story

A window in a public building is rarely just decoration. It may remember a person, mark an anniversary, tell the story of a town or give a new building its identity. These commissions carry meaning for many people, and the design process has to make room for their voices.

We begin by listening — to the history, the people involved and the way the building is used — and develop ideas through sketches, colour studies and reference glass before a single full-size drawing is made.

Working with committees and architects

Public commissions are usually approved by a group: a parochial church council, a board of governors, a hospital arts committee, a design team. We prepare clear presentation drawings and real glass samples, explain the choices in plain language and revise the design until everyone is confident in it.

For Church of England buildings, alterations generally need a faculty from the diocese, with advice from the Diocesan Advisory Committee. We are glad to provide the drawings, specifications and statements those applications require.

Public glass belongs to everyone who walks past it — it has to speak to a whole community, not just one person.

Conservation of historic glass

Historic windows deserve the lightest possible touch. Conservation starts with a careful survey and record of the glass, its condition and previous repairs. Wherever possible we stabilise and keep original material rather than replacing it, and any new glass is clearly documented.

Ventilated protective glazing on the outside can shield vulnerable windows from weather and impact. Listed buildings may also need listed building consent, and we work alongside conservation officers throughout.

Planning a large installation

Schools, hospitals and churches rarely close for building work. We plan installation around the life of the building: access and scaffolding, safe working zones, phasing to keep spaces in use, and safety glazing where people pass close to the glass.

When the work is complete, we hand over a record of the design, materials and care instructions, so the people responsible for the building in the decades ahead know exactly how to look after it.

Typical commissions

• Church and memorial windows
• School and hospital artworks
• Hotel, restaurant and retail features
• Conservation of historic glass

Questions we are often asked