From Concept to Installation

Amy Whittingham • July 29, 2025

 Collaborating, Problem Solving, and Scaling Up

This commission came with unique technical and architectural challenges. Working within a public healthcare setting, there were strict safety standards I needed to meet. Glass, by its nature, must conform to building regulations around strength, lamination, and fixings. I had to ensure every element of the design would be secure, safe, and fully compliant—without compromising on beauty or detail.


I was incredibly fortunate to work alongside some experienced collaborators. Paul Ager, who has installed large-scale works for the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Chatsworth House, advised me on connecting components and helped install the final piece. His knowledge of large artworks in architectural spaces was invaluable.


Another key part of the process was translating my hand-drawn, collaged design into something that could be fabricated precisely. Ian Hankey supported me in turning the concept into a detailed digital rendering something that could be used by Lazer Industries to cut the metalwork with precision.


Although I’ve worked in cast glass for many years, this was a step up in scale and complexity. I had to develop a completely new method for casting and fusing the glass so it would include a small lip, allowing it to sit securely within a layered steel framework. It took multiple rounds of testing and refinement—and even then, some panels needed cold-working at the end to achieve a perfect fit. It was a slow and meticulous process, but it taught me a lot.

By Amy Whittingham July 29, 2025
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Make sure its level When making a mould for glass casting your mould needs to be poured onto a level surface. When heated up in a kiln glass will naturally fill the space it is in and form a flat level surface when cast, if the mould is not level then the glass won't be either. This is especially important when making flat relief open casts. Make your model taller As you are going to put cold chunks of glass or glass frit into the mould you make, the space that you allow for the glass to go in needs to have more depth than you intend the final glass piece to be. Glass Chunks and frit have lots of air gaps between them, when the glass melts and becomes liquid these gaps will disperse through the material. Learn to love the bubbles The space between the glass chunks, frit or panes will become bubbles, as the glass is liquid it is very thick similar to treacle so the bubbles take a while to rise to the top surface and pop. Some bubbles will stay trapped in the glass when it cools and turns solid. Some bubbles may pop on the surface at the end of the firing cycle, If you don't love this, it may be easier to re-fire the cast than to grind back the surface to a flat. Larger glass pieces = better clarity When filling the moulds, the bigger pieces of glass you use the less bubbles will be trapped between them. If you decide to use fine frit for example this will trap lots of little bubbles in the glass and will make the glass less transparent. The bubbles interrupt and distort the light that is able to travel through the glass, hindering the view through. If you love these tips share For more hints and tips Amy Whittingham has written a book called Glass Casting which is available via her shop. Amy also teaches in person glass casting courses from her studio click below to sign up.