Richard Paton

Blackpool Central Library · 2011

Blackpool Central Library Windows

Eight monumental windows, each two by three metres, made in three months using traditional stained glass and a wide range of specialist glass techniques.

Four of the completed stained-glass windows inside Blackpool Central Library
Four of the eight completed windows in Blackpool Central Library.
Project
Blackpool Central Library Windows
Location
Blackpool Central Library
Scale
Eight windows, each 2 × 3 metres
Programme
Three months
Design development
Ideas from library users, brought together by Nick Robertson
Completed
2011

Eight windows for a public library

In 2011, Rainbow Glass Studios was approached by a London-based architect to make eight large windows for Blackpool Central Library. The designs grew from contributions by library users and were brought together by Nick Robertson.

I then translated those ideas into buildable stained glass, choosing the materials and techniques that would give each part of the scheme its own character while keeping the eight windows coherent as an architectural work.

“Looking back, I’m amazed at how much we achieved in such a short time — but sometimes it takes a tight deadline to focus the mind and get things done.”

The making

Many techniques, one architectural scheme

  1. 01
    A full-colour design drawing for the illuminated train
    The illuminated-train design developed for one of the eight windows.

    Community ideas and design

    Ideas contributed by Blackpool Library users were drawn together by Nick Robertson. Richard then resolved the designs for fabrication at full architectural scale.

  2. 02
    The illuminated train being assembled in coloured glass on a studio workbench
    Building the train from cut and decorated glass.

    Cutting and assembly

    The designs were translated into individual glass pieces and carefully assembled. The illuminated-train window combined a complex figurative centrepiece with the larger architectural grid.

  3. 03
    A member of the studio team painting detailed glass pieces for the library windows
    Painting detail for the Blackpool library scheme.

    Painting, etching and leading

    Traditional stained-glass painting, etching and leading were used alongside glass fusing, laser etching, screen printing, kiln casting and verre églomisé.

  4. 04
    The illuminated train panel lit from behind in the studio
    Testing the train panel with transmitted light.

    Testing colour and light

    The completed sections were tested with transmitted light before installation, allowing the painted detail, colour and illuminated effects to be assessed together.

Gallery

Wide view of the completed library windows above the reading area
The completed windows in their library setting.
Three tall stained-glass windows seen inside Blackpool Central Library
The windows seen across the library interior.
Tall stained-glass library window incorporating words and layered imagery
The ‘Stories’ window.
Completed arched stained-glass window featuring an illuminated train
The illuminated-train window.
Completed arched stained-glass window with a butterfly motif
One of the eight completed windows.
Four completed library windows viewed along the curved wall
Three windows working together in the architecture.
Completed stained-glass window featuring an anatomical brain and the word Curiosity
The ‘Curiosity’ window.
Detail of a completed library window with historic imagery and reflected lettering
Layered imagery and lettering in a finished window.
The Rainbow Glass Studios team standing with the installed train window
The studio team with the installed train window.

Eight monumental windows in three months

The principal challenge was the programme: eight windows measuring two by three metres had to be designed, fabricated and delivered in only three months. Coordinating several specialist techniques across a scheme of this scale demanded an intense studio effort.

The illuminated-train window became one of the most distinctive parts of the project, drawing on Blackpool’s annual Illuminations. Despite the short deadline, the full set was completed successfully.

Credits

Design development
Nick Robertson, from ideas contributed by Blackpool Library users
Stained-glass interpretation and fabrication
Richard Paton · Rainbow Glass Studios
Studio team
Shane Moore, Scott Brown and Zhanna Foglietta
Commission
Blackpool Central Library

Commissions & collaborations

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