Chelsea Artisans Ltd have recently completed the manufacture and installation of stunning glass panels for the new Damien Hirst restaurant Pharmacy 2 which is part of the Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall, south London. Hirst’s original artwork was digitally printed then laminated within glass layers to form panels for the gallery bar front. The gallery, designed by renowned architects Caruso St John, recently won the RIBA Sterling Prize. The contract comprised two main elements, sandblasted design and colour coated laminated glass as secondary glazing window panels, and laminated glass with a digital print interlayer for bar fronts. Both designs were created by the Damien Hirst organisation. The secondary glazing panels depicted a DNA helix continuing over four window panels, each an impressive 2.60 x 2.60m in size. The designs were sandblasted and then coated in different translucent colours to create the pattern. The application required separate masking for each individual colour and was a demanding and very exacting and precise process. The pattern was designed to run through all four panels creating a continuous helix. Each of the four panels weighed approximately 270kg and required a carefully thought out lifting and installation procedure. During the daytime the panels are illuminated by external sunlight in the same manner as stained glass windows whilst at night time the internal lighting projects the image externally. The windows form an integral part of the design of the building’s external appearance. The laminated glass panels with digital print interlayer are also used as cladding panels for the main bar. The digital print is an expanded image of pills and medicines that complement the medical theme of the bar itself and restaurant generally. The images are thermally printed onto a compatible film that is then encapsulated between two sheets of clear glass before it is bonded to the bar structure. The manufacture and installation of both elements required an attention to detail to ensure the precise requirements of the setting out were achieved. Working in conjunction with the architects, Caruso St John, and other specialist contractors Chelsea Artisans Ltd were able to successfully contribute two major aspects of this truly exciting and remarkable project. The Newport Street Gallery was recently featured in the prestigious RIBA Awards 2016 winning recognition in both the National and London categories. The description of the project on the RIBA website includes the following extracts: Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall has involved the conversion of an extraordinary terrace of listed industrial buildings, that were formerly theatre carpentry and scenery painting workshops…..This is a very bold and confident project wherein old and new are seamlessly joined and reinterpreted to create superb gallery spaces in a building with a very significant civic presence.

Chelsea Artisans and Fusion Glass have just completed manufacturing 300m2 of kiln formed laminated glass wall panels for the prestigious new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The panels are being used to form partitions between lift lobbies and an open lift atrium allowing light and form to permeate through the building in keeping with the design intent of Architects John McAslan and Partners and Interior Designers David Collins Studio. [caption id="attachment_8008" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kiln formed glass wall panel ready to be packed and shipped to the Mandarin Hotel, Doha[/caption] Each kiln formed laminated glass wall panel comprises a 10mm low iron toughened kiln formed glass front face resin laminated to a 6mm low iron toughened rear face; the back of the panels receive a flat tone sandblast to provide opacity. The panels were pre-drilled to receive fixings for incorporation into the steel framework of the atrium. The largest panels are 1740 x 3165mm and weigh approximately 220kg. The kiln formed panels are manufactured in Chelsea Artisans’ gas fired kilns at their manufacturing premises in Croydon, south London. These are the largest ovens currently being used for kiln forming glass in the UK allowing for a theoretical maximum size of 7.00 x 4.00m. [caption id="attachment_8007" align="aligncenter" width="300"] One of the kiln formed panels being lifted off our kiln.[/caption] Through Fusion Glass Designs the company has pioneered kiln forming of glass on a commercial scale. A range of standard patterns and designs are available, but it is also possible to develop bespoke patterns and shapes and to create individual pieces of artwork.  

Want to join our team here at Chelsea Artisans? We’re looking for a Glazier to join us. Our Ideal candidate is someone interested in working in the glass industry with one of the leading Architectural and Decorative glass companies in the UK and Europe. [caption id="attachment_7921" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chelsea Artisans' glaziers handling a panel of our glass in the workshop.[/caption] The role will include, but not be limited to, the installation of:

• Decorative glass
• Glass cladding
• Glass partitions
• Shower Cubicles
• Metal trims/and frames.

CSCS Card essential and full clean driving licence. On site working hours are from 8am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday or to suit project. Overtime opportunity is available and occasional night work when required. Rate of pay depending on experience. For more details or to discuss the role, call Cressie on 0208 665 0558 or email contracts@chelsea-fusion.com with your CV. We hope to hear from you!

Driver / Ad-hoc Workshop duties as and when required. Driving experience essential, full clean driving licence is a must. Full Training will be provided for any work shop duties required. Our ideal candidate is someone interested in developing a career in the glass industry with one of the leading Architectural and Decorative glass companies in Europe and the UK. You duties will include but not be limited to the following:

• Deliveries in and around the UK
• Deliveries to work sites
• Deliveries direct to clients
• Collections from suppliers
• Ability to carry out vehicle checks
• Loading and unloading of vehicles – manual handling training will be provided
• Workshop duties will include processing of glass and general cleaning of workshop.

Working hours are from 8am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday at our Croydon premises. Overtime opportunity is available as and when required. This is a great opportunity for someone with a get involved attitude to become part of a team. Ability to spend one or two nights away when doing long distance deliverers as well as some early morning starts e.g. 6am Competitive Rate of pay depending on experience Call Cressie on 0208 665 0558 or email Cressida.rendall@chelsea-fusion.com with your CV to discover more.

We require an experienced Glazier to join our team. CSCS Card essential and full clean driving licence. Our ideal candidate is someone interested in working in the glass industry with one of the leading Architectural and Decorative glass companies in Europe and the UK. The role will include but not be limited to the following: Installation of:

• Decorative glass
• Glass cladding
• Glass partitions
• Shower Cubicles
• Metal trims/and frames

On site working hours are from 8am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday or to suit project. Working out of our Croydon premises. Overtime opportunity is available and occasional night work when required. Ability to spend some nights away required we install projects across the UK. This is a great opportunity for someone with a 'get involved' attitude to become part of our team. Competitive rate of pay depending on experience. Call Cressie on 0208 665 0558 or email cressida.rendall@chelsea-fusion.com with your CV to discover more.