While browsing a book on Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass, our clients had the idea that a large skylight well in the ceiling of their greatroom would be enhanced by some custom stained glass.

They came to Renegade to talk about the possibilities, suggesting that the skywell space be divided into three panels.   After initial discussions, they engaged Renegade for the design and creation of the glass and the original architect of their home, Fred Kirchner, of Kirchner and Associates Architects  for the design and construction of the frame to support the panels and to match the existing woodwork.

Karla worked with the clients using her cooperative design process.   She first collected many of their likes and dislikes by having them look at and discuss photos of window designs.  She then went to their home to see the location of the skywell and get a further sense of the clients’ tastes in colors and style.  She took candidate glass samples for them to evaluate and compare.  Returning to the studio, Karla then created several design options for the clients to critique.

After further discussion and iteration, the clients’ favorite design emerged.  Now it was time to choose glass types and colors for the panels.  Karla selected a range of options based on previous discussions, but met again with the clients to allow them to make final choices.

Construction and installation of the windows and framework took about six weeks.    These panels are strong and secure:  The stained glass has built in reinforcing bar and rests on tempered cover glass for strength.  The wood framework is built on a core of a steel beam.

The windows are now, in the words of the architect, “the cherry on top”, and our clients love them.

Dimensions: 31″ wide x 75″ long each

# Pieces: 483 total

# Glass types:  7

Location: Lexington, Virginia

[Photos by Ellen Martin and Renegade Art Glass]