This architectural glass panel by Sarah Galloway references the interior architect's oceanic concept, but its wave form also connects to the high technology line graphs and charts used in this medical center.
The Women and Children’s Unit at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital uses rear-lit glass panels to help reduce stress in patients and family members. The abstract compositions etched onto the glass reference the waves that bring tourists to this seaside resort city, but also the graphs that chart patients’ health at this busy pediatric health care facility. Sarah Galloway, an architectural glass artist with over 20 years experience, worked from her design studio in Pilling, Lancashire, England, for 5 months to create the custom artworks.
The design inspiration for the project was the oceanic theme initially adopted by the interior designer and the Hospital Trust to reflect the city of Blackpool‘s importance as a resort. Galloway took an abstract approach, using predominantly blue and green colors on the main artworks to suggest an underwater scene. which she enhanced by the inclusion of sandblasted corals and screen-printed shoals of fish.
A detail reveals abstracted forms based on natural seaside creatures.
The original scope of work did not include backlighting. Galloway suggested the addition of lighting as a means of adding dimension. Galloway told the GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet that: “the main design challenge was the broad issue of creating artworks for a hospital environment. Situated in the entrance of the unit, as well as within the clinic itself, the challenge was to respond to the need to create high quality artworks. To pull together the elements that impact on the senses thus reducing the stress that patients and their families often experience when entering the hospital. By looking at the patient and visitor journey the intent was to create welcoming, bright, and reassuring spaces.”
In describing the fabrication process, Galloway said “there were four main elements to the fabrication of the glass. First the glass was taped up with a vinyl tape, hand cut to create stencils (with the glass exposed) prior to deep sandblasting the glass surface. Second, aspects of the design were acid etched on to the glass by screen-printing. Third, Galloway hand applied the colored resin to create the color on the work. Last, the work was installed with the LED lighting panels behind each section of glass.”
Sarah Galloway’s glass artworks for the Women and Children’s Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital have been short-listed for the 2011 Lighting Design Awards. The final winners will be announced at the event held at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London on March 10th, 2011.
—Patricia Linthicum
Guest blogger Patricia Linthicum writes Looking At Glass, a blog that focuses on the use of glass in interior design and architecture.