CRAFTSMANSHIP _____ A Masters degree in stained glass restoration and a close involvement in the heritage sector provide a deep grounding in traditions and craftsmanship. Atelier Kozaar starts from a profound interest in materials such as mouth-blown, rolled plate and figure plate glass. Stained glass windows consist of individual pieces of glass separated by lead strips. Long and short lead strips are alternated to distribute forces within the lead network. Minimizing possible stresses, and spreading the pressure points throughout the design results in a product that can survive many generational changes.
INNOVATIVE _____ Glass is a stubborn product. To cut glass is to bend the tension within a surface so that it breaks the way the artisan wants it to. This limits the design options. Combining high quality materials and experimenting with different traditional techniques, Atelier Kozaar creates a new visual language. Atelier Kozaar puts emphasis on the design phase and constantly tries to innovate. This process is strengthened by experience in graphic design and printing techniques, where the interplay of lines also determines an expressive result. Challenging projects take precedence over traditional ones, focusing on the dialogue between space and light, interwoven with darkness.
UNIQUE _____ The design and materials are chosen in function of an architectural concept and the needs of a specific space. Each design is bespoke and mad to measure. It generally consists of a framework with a number of panels each individually contributing to a larger concept. Each individual panel is again unique, unless a deliberate choice is made for repetition. The studio takes on only a limited number of projects per year and is committed to thoughtful and unusual design that is labor intensive to manufacture.
BEAUTY _____ The transparency, texture and color of the glass types available today are endless. A thoughtful choice of these materials, combined with an interesting interplay of lines, can enhance the experience of light and space. Glass walls can be placed to lead to reflection and stillness, they can tell stories or be a subtle link to the occupant. Regardless of size, they demand attention, redirect the gaze and influence one’s perception. They generate different colors translating the light from alternating seasons. While transparent, they can provide intimacy without shrouding a space in darkness.