Creating bespoke art glass
Whether you’re trying to evoke feelings of happiness, calm or movement, or provide more practical uses with glass, there are a multitude of ways glass can be designed to fulfil your client’s brief. Let us help you translate these onto glass with the right techniques to make the most of your design.
After initial contact, we will guide you through the bespoke glass process, from creating samples to help you visualise the final product, to working with structural calculations, and ensuring that our production fits in with the building’s development timescales.
You’re also very welcome to contact us to arrange a site visit of our studio to be inspired by our processes and see our team in action!
Colour
Colour instantly transforms any space, but it isn’t just about trends, style and fashion. Colour can stimulate minds, improve productivity, increase social interaction (particularly with warm colours) and even offer health benefits.
Since inception, coloured glass has been the main focus of our business; whether it is a printed translucent coloured glass window in a transport hub, back lit decorative glass wall panels in a hospital, or freestanding shaped glass panels in a public space.
Texture
Since the Covid pandemic, there has been a trend towards designing texture in a space, experienced through sight, rather than touch.
Proto Glass Studios can create a variety of glass textures by changing the physical structure of the glass under intense heat - slumping onto a mould within our kilns - or by adding to or removing the glass surface to make it uneven - by sandblasting or acid etching.
We can also create texture by applying 2D textured images permanently to glass that appear uneven yet remain easy to clean and maintain. This can be offered by screenprinted designs or laminating films, meshes and even fabrics between panels of glass.
Common uses for textured glass include reception areas, balustrades, partition walls and shower screens.
Reflection
Mirrors can create the illusion of more space, enhance a room’s lighting, add a sleek, professional feel, and serve as a design statement. However, traditional mirror panels can often restrict design possibilities.
At Proto Glass Studios, we have the unique ability to apply mirrors through screen-printing, allowing us to produce decorative mirror glass that can reflect specific areas or entire designs while leaving the unprinted sections clear. This printed mirror can be combined with other techniques, offered in a range of colours, mirrored on both sides, or backed with coloured finishes. We also provide a selection of antique and textured mirrors.
Mirrored surfaces are often used in spaces such as washrooms, bars, restaurants, and lifts to enhance visual appeal and light.
Privacy
The unique qualities of glass mean that privacy can be achieved through a number of techniques, with the added advantage of not needing to markedly reduce light levels within a room.
Designs can range from all out solid colour prints to halftone/fulltone designs, to the use of texture to distort what is behind the glass. The intensity and strength of the techniques used can be adjusted to work with the light availability and privacy requirements.
Perhaps you require privacy within an office environment, leisure centre, school, or in bathrooms? Whatever the need, we can advise on the most suitable finishes and offer sampling as standard.
Shape/form
The majority of our commissions are created using decorated shaped glass panels, curved architectural double glazed units (DG units) or freestanding glass sculptures; both internal and external.
For complex designs, sheet glass can be specially CNC cut to create the perfect outline.
If required, Proto Glass Studios can provide these as a complete package; from sourcing engineer’s calculations to supporting steelworks and cappings, so you can be confident that your concept will stand the test of time.
Movement
Achieving movement from static panels of glass is not something you might think could be achieved, but it can be done.
Coded images can be printed onto multiple surfaces of the glass so that as you walk past, the glass image also appears to move. Imagine creating wall cladding featuring cameos of moving figures!
We also offer dichroic glass that dynamically changes colour from different angles and lighting conditions. It’s a distinctive and eye-catching way to make a long-lasting impression, used within lighting or incorporated into building facades. Sometimes simplicity is best, but this iridescent glass can be offered on its own or combined with other techniques.
Safety
Safety glass is commonly understood to be the way the glass is finished, through lamination or toughening, and all of Proto Glass Studios’ decorative glass is safety glass as standard.
However, being continually on the hunt to exceed client’s expectations, we have the ability to incorporate certain safety additions onto glass through printing.
We can print anti-slip onto glass for use in stair treads and flooring, and we are also trialling phosphorescent (glow in the dark) inks for emergency signage during a power cut.
Excited by what can be achieved? Take a look at the techniques we use, or get in contact to find out more.