Design Submission for Hospital Windows - A Tale of Another Lost Idea

by Jayne Ford :: You need to be a member to contact artists →Join :: Portfolio

I produced this work for an architectural glass commission at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge for two large windows on opposite sides of a corridor. I have included it in my gallery as artwork in its own right and also as a comment to highlight the many design proposals that do not make it through to completion when artists are called to submit proposals, as only one design can win. Over the years I have bid for several commissions and whether my design is accepted or not, I am always saddened by the many beautiful and thought-provoking ideas produced by others that do not get through the selection process and are never constructed. This submission is one of my “lost ideas”, since despite actually winning this particular bid, I was never able to make the windows because the funding for the project fell through. Instead I was commissioned to produce smaller, wall-mounted panels for the hospital using similar techniques, yet with no back-lighting to exploit the fragile clarity of the transparent glass. Although a satisfying and enjoyable project it ultimately left me with a sense of frustration and loss from never having the opportunity to realise my original idea.

The following text is an excerpt from the original design proposal, which was entitled “In the Beginning...”: “The design is a light-hearted celebration of colour and the physical form of glass itself, and shows a “cosmic” theme. The east elevation window represents the moment a planet evolves – dynamically generated from vibrant disorder - and the west window the aftermath, when order and structure are born. The two windows use different colour palettes to reflect this.

The artwork would comprise two double-glazed units with kiln-formed glass bonded to the interior surfaces to give a multi-layered effect and giving greater scope for use of colour. The use of double glazing is advantageous because it is easy to clean and can incorporate toughened glass to meet safety regulations. The transparent bonding adhesive is specific to architectural glass applications and is non-yellowing.

In the east window, glass is fused into uneven, organic shapes whereas coloured glass rods are overlaid to give more formal lattice-like shapes in the west window. Transparent and opaque kiln-fired paints are also used in both windows to create drama and depth within and around the central discs. A full-scale sample panel (400 x 500 mm)for the east window is provided along with additional glass elements for the west window to facilitate visualisation of the proposed work; the central earth-like disc (displayed in a steel stand, diameter 420 mm) and glowing opaline “stellar” shapes are included for handling and viewing against the light.

The windows can be enjoyed simply for the wash of colour they will bring to the corridor and the beauty of the glass design elements within them, or can be interpreted as an analogy to the transition from chaos to calm in real-life situations. This would hopefully resonate with staff, visitors and patients alike, since challenging situations are often experienced in hospital. I hope to provide viewers with a thought-provoking and uplifting distraction."