Super Cannes – phase 2
The last two weeks saw Daedalian’s second phase installation at a large and stunning private residence in the hills of Cannes in Southern France. There was a total of 1.7 tons of glass transported by a team of 4 which included; more frameless laminated fabric doors and screens, mirrors to cover an 11 metre section of wall in the dance studio, floor to ceiling, a bar back and top in coloured kiln formed and glass for extensive works in the spa. The spa included cladding four 3 metre high pool columns, a UV bonded glass cubical and clading the feature wall of the spa. Sadly there are still limited photos as the site still largely without lighting, but a portfolio of the work will be captured once complete. The UK owner who visited site during this phase was so impressed by our work that there is now a thrid phase in discussion with a visit likely in June. Unlike phase one, there was certainly no arctic weather on this trip with the team enjoying lunch pool side overlooking the bay of Cannes and the 1100 mile drive one way, saw the team stopping over in Reims where ther managed to briefly visit the town’s impressive cathedral - volunteers not required for phase three.
Super Cannes
Last week saw Daedalian’s first phase installation at a large and stunning private residence in the hills of Cannes in Southern France. There were a mixture of frameless bathroom doors and screens using laminated material in various colours with the house emblem etched on the doors and mirrors throughout the property. The final site survey was also taken for phase two works due to begin in late Feb, early March. The 2200 mile round trip certainly put the fitters through their paces and sadly the arctic weather followed them all the way down to the med with snow falling in Cannes during the visit – hopefully they’ll be packing their speedos next time!
Making History – Abingdon School Chapel.
Belatedly following on from our last missive, we take another look at Abingdon School Chapel.
From start to finish earlier this year, our work at Abingdon School Chapel took 9 years. Even in an industry of long lead times, that is very long time indeed. But sometimes you have to be patient. Sometimes you have to wait until every thing is ready and the proper conditions are met. Sometimes there is nothing to do but get on with your life and let nature take its course. It is when you let the world order itself around you and stop pushing the job down the pipeline, that great things happen. We said previously that some relationships can define you in unexpected ways and that our collaboration with Nicholas Mynheer, the designer of the chapel windows, is one of those relationships. If Nick and Davia, our creative head, had not met, there is every liklihood this project would not be as good as it is. That is not hyperbole, or big headedness, it is simply recognition of the artistic connection the they both share, which has given rise to a unique art-cum-glazing project.
When Nick was first contacted by Abingdon School to produce the Trinity Window, behind the Altar, he thought of Fused glass and of Daedalian, having worked with us previously. That section of the project was finished in 2004 and was, in itself a project we were proud to put in our CV. However shortly after completion, some money was bequeathed to the school by a former master, Hugh Randolf. It was decided to use the money to create two more, monochrome, windows in his memory. Having done three of the nine windows already, Nick floated the idea of glazing the entire chapel, interspersing the planned monochromatic panels with more full colour fused pieces. That way the light into the space could be maximised and the cost also kept affordable. In Nick’s vision all the chapel windows would be thematically tied, using the school and church calendar to inspire scholastic and Christian iconography. Having, by then, a long standing relationship with Davia, it made sense to bring Daedalian in again, to complete the project. Davia has developed the artistic sensitivity and glass working skill to transfer Nick’s painted designs successfully into windows which cause delight, solemnity and reflection in equal measure.
The windows are made exclusively from Bullseye fusing glass. It is the only raw fusing glass we use and is central to the success of the Mynheer windows. Each panel is a roughly 30mm thick single piece of glass. By using glass fusing, as opposed to the more traditional stained glass, we are able to eliminate the leads, essential in stained glass, while retaining and enhancing the intense colours and illuminated quality. The uniqueness of this work lies in the combination of traditional figurative, iconic design and modern glass working techniques. Each element is a new take on established forms. Nick Mynheer’s design is contemporary and modern, while depicting traditional scenes, while fused glass captures the best of stained glass, with clean lines and vibrant colours, while using relatively advances techniques to eliminate structural and visual weaknesses.
If you would like more information please contact us.
The Pines – Sandblast Etched and Laminated Glass Design
Working on private homes can be a uniquely challenging experience. As a glass design firm we often find ourselves in somewhat longer negotiations over the exact composition of the products we supply. If the owner is personally involved in the project, then the quality standards that we routinely meet come into even sharper relief than usual. Of course that level scrutiny is not something we shy away from and is only right, when you consider the intensely personal and private relationships people have with their homes.
We have worked on a wide array of private properties all over the world and the heightened feeling of responsibility you get when interpreting such a personal vision never wavers. Your motivation can go far beyond the need to make the best glass designs, produce a beautiful piece of glass art, or maintain your reputation in a competitive industry. It can take you into a space where it becomes difficult to extract yourself from the feeling of “would I really be happy with this in my own home?” Even if you don’t personally like a design, the need to take it to what might be an unattainable level is ever present.
The following images show one of our most recent private home projects. Unusually, it was local to us and the client had a unique vision of what was needed. We are often proud of our ability to create something that helps invest a space with that intense personal and private beauty that is the hallmark of a great home. Here we can say, with confidence, that we did that.
Thomas Walmsley.
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- The stylised tree motif seen here was prevalent throughout the project.
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- Each panel in this series was hand decorated with glass beads and gold paint
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- Each panel was waterjet cut to ensure a perfect fit in the lamination.
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- The panels featured here are all curved and laminated.
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- All our laminated products are perfectly suited for moisture rich environments.
