Paul Lucker Designs

Last Post

2009-09-25T01:59:00.000-07:00

BIG CHANGES AT PAUL LUCKER DESIGNS

Hi Everyone

Many of you will already be aware of my well broadcast plans to close the Elland workshops and concentrate on design / restoration consultancy work. In fact dozens of stained glass companies have said they want to go on the list of specialist nominee / tenderers for my consultancy and out-sourcing work, and I promise I will be in touch with all of you in due course.

To all those companies that have expressed an interest in buying items of stock and equipment, I can tell you that (just before our deadline date today!) Design Glass of Wyke have confirmed that they want to buy everything as a `job lot` AND take over the lease and move across from their existing premises as soon as possible. This has all been agreed with the landlord, so the workshops will not be closing after all!

I have had a good look at Design Glass and I am impressed with their systems and quality - they are excellent leaded light makers - and we are hopeful that with my design input they will be able to satisfy many of my existing `old` customers with future projects.

However I will have no financial stake in Design Glass, and the Paul Lucker Designs business, (including the website) will remain completely independent. This is essential to the role of a consultancy, in which I must be able to recommend suppliers, artists and restoration specialists with no vested interest. Hence my promise to check out all those interested parties mentioned above.

This exciting new situation frees me up to do what I love, and offers opportunities to work with other companies and further broaden my horizons. Thanks to all those clients and suppliers who have been so supportive over the years. You have not got rid of me yet!

Finally, a big thank you to my last employee, the trusted and very talented Dan Beal (CAMGP) who leaves today. Next month he starts a new role at Lincoln Cathedral, and I wish him all the very best for the future. He deserves it.

Paul Lucker

Holmfirth Project - Heralding the Dawn

2009-09-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

For this project the client spotted the `Heralding the Dawn` windows on our Royal Hall feature and wanted more of the same in their door panels.

Panel of the Month

2009-08-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

FUSED GLASS CEILING

2009-06-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

FOR SALE

(1.25m x 1.25m)

STAINED GLASS CEILING

2009-06-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

FOR SALE

(1.25m x 1.25m)

2009-05-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

The DAFFODIL Restaurant, Cheltenham

Paul Lucker Designs originally supplied the feature pendants and other lighting back in 1999. Now we are involved again with the latest refurbishment. The lights are still fine and remain a key part of the scheme - but we are adding feature screens in classic Art Deco style. The frameworks are antique bronzed metalwork to match the lighting, and the glasswork matches the style of the original Odeon cinema that houses the restaurant.

2009-03-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

March 2009 ALLERTON CASTLE

Following the completion of the magnificent historic bay window as featured in our main website, we have just completed the installation of 'The Rolph Window' at Allerton Castle.

Dr Rolph has presided over the restoration of this magnificent building for more than two decades, and in keeping with heraldic traditions, this window commemmorates the history of the Rolph family tree, including elements relating to the castle itself.

Apart from the technical and artistic demands, this window required a lot of research and design, and we learned a lot about heraldry.

So if you know anyone that is looking to create a family coat of arms in stained glass, you know where to send them...

March 2009 THE ROYAL HALL, HARROGATE

Although the refurbishment was completed over a year ago (see feature in our main website) the original budget did not run to a full restoration, and there are still some areas with very suspect glazing. One such area is the transom windows adjacent to the disabled access, which we have replaced with art nouveau leaded lights as shown. Hopefully the restoration will continue as funds become available.

Warren's Test post

2009-02-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

WANTED – STAINED GLASS CEILINGS by PAUL LUCKER DESIGNS

If you know of the whereabouts of any old stained glass ceilings by Paul Lucker Designs / Lucker Decorative Glass Structures Ltd that are available for sale, please let us know! We made hundreds of ceilings and domes in the stained glass boom years between 1985 and 1995, and most of them that we know of are still in use and doing a great job! But others have been displaced due to site redevelopment and change of use, and it is these that we would like to hear about.

The ceiling shown is one of a pair that we made in the mid eighties for what was then the Post House Hotel at Guildford. Are they still there, and if not, where are they?

We are also particularly interested in the many mixed-media art deco `Poirot` ceilings that we made during the same period. Some of these featured composite metal frames in snowflake shapes with tiered timber surrounds, as well as special glass effects. These would be hugely expensive to produce today, hence our interest in buying any back that may become available.

If you have any information, or would like to sell us back one of our ceilings, please email paul@paulluckerdesigns.co.uk with some identification to authenticate the item. Please note that we do not buy and sell stained glass by others.

2009-01-29T01:37:00.000-08:00

OLD GLASS JAN. 2009
OLD STAINED GLASS & LEADED LIGHTS

In an attempt to free up some space we are selling off some of our old windows. Some are genuine century old panels, reclaimed from sites around the country. Others are old showroom panels that we made many years ago as examples of stained glass styles. All are the genuine article, well made windows using traditional techniques. And ALL are for sale at a fraction of the price they would cost to make.
If you would like to visit our Elland workshops to view these windows - or our many old decorative light fittings from bygone eras - please email paul@paulluckerdesigns.co.uk to make an appointment. More pictures and prices also available on request from this address.

450 x 665- (4 off) Rescued from Hollins Hall, Baildon W. Yorkshire.
Would make great ceiling panels!

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850 x 950 1 only.

PLD original, kingfisher centre (could be changed), genuine kiln fired multi-process artwork throughout.

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250 x 1000 (2off) PLD originals. Designed as a pair of door panels but would also work in landscape format.

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525 x 830. 1 only. Old panel with rondelles, salvaged from London Bar.

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401 x 399. 1 only, PLD original with fired quarries.

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562 x 795 PLD original with fired quarries.

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600 x 400 PLD original with fired artwork detail.

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576 x 650. Part of set with different centres. Salvaged from Shepley Church rebuilding programme.

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615 x 520 1 only. Old.

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New Windows

2008-12-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

This set of `sun` windows was created for the same customer to whom we supplied the Green Man & Woman windows last year (see feature in the `New Design` section of our website), and has recently been installed on site. Our customer says that the sun casts a warm glow around the room even on the most gloomy Yorkshire November day.
The next set is a planetary theme, apparently. We seem to be working our way around the building with fascinating new challenges with every window.
The Green Man and Sun sets were designed by Paul Lucker and beautifully artworked and constructed by Dan Beal at our Elland workshops.

St Catherine's R.C Church Photographs

2008-10-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

1 of 3 panels to side chapel after refurbishment:-

Typical condition of panels before restoration:-

Set of 10 panels to main auditorium after refurbishment:-

STAINED GLASS RESTORATION

2008-10-31T02:26:00.001-07:00

Paul Lucker Designs have just completed a major restoration and refurbishment project at St Catherine's R.C. Church, Sheffield. The work included the urgent removal, re-sizing and restoration of 32 windows, many of them large and badly distorted.

The Building: A large nineteen twenties church built largely of reinforced concrete! This was deteriorating, along with the rest of the building, and the multitude of leaded lights/stained glass panels were in danger of collapse. They had to be removed before work could start on reconstructing the concrete shell.

The biggest challenge arose because the company originally nominated to do the leaded light work allegedly walked off site eight weeks into the project, before a single window had been touched. When Paul Lucker Designs received the cry for help, the first job was to number the windows, carry out a full survey and decide whether we could complete the project within a tight programme, when we were already busy! The answer was no, we could not! (honesty as always was the best policy) but we could work out how the main priorities could be completed within the programme so that the contractors could proceed with the rebuilding of the dilapidated concrete shell. And, by prioritising the essential features, we could work out a programme that would allow the main windows to be complete and installed by the time of the Inauguration Service.

So the procedure was as follows:

1. Carry out a full survey, numbering all the windows so that the client and main contractor could identify the proposed works, timings and costs. This comprehensive document was completed within one week and worked as the main reference document throughout the project. The costs of this survey and report were included in a qouted and agreed 'Phase 1' consultancy invoice.

2. Get the remaining costs and the programming agreed in consultation with the architect, the client and the Main Contractor, ensuring all the protocols are correctly followed, of course! Sort out risk assessments, Health & Safety policy, insurance documentation etc and then...

3. Proceed on site! Commence removal of the windows, transport them to our workshop and start the process of rebuilding. Because thirty two of the fifty five windows were to be fitted into new secondary hardwood frames they were also to be re-sized! So we had to work closely with the joinery contractor to ensure the optimum glass size, to retain proportion etc.

4. As each prioritized leaded light completed its full round of rebuilding (where necessary) and repair, re-sizing, soldering, cementing, polishing, curing and fixing of stantion ties, it was returned to site and installed into its new secondary hardwood frame. The high level windows, ten metres above ground, were all installed within six weeks of our start date, so that the underfloor heating could be installed to programme. This was because we could not use the scissor lift after this date, for fear of damaging the new floor.

5. Complete the cleaning and in-situ repairs to the 'low-priority windows' including the 25 panel rose window, the concrete surround of which was mercifully sound.

6. Complete the installation of all the rebuilt windows.

NOTES: The ten 1m x 3m windows to low level in the main auditorium included beautifully art worked inscriptions/dedications, but this was the only stained glass artwork in the entire church. Otherwise, this was technically a leaded light project.

Pictures To Follow.....

Fused Glass Frieze

2008-08-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

FUSED GLASS frieze, just completed by Paul Lucker Designs at the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield (QEGS) Junior School.
The Mondrian-style panels form over fifteen metres of frieze at high level between classrooms and corridors.
Design concept was by Adam Hickling of InnSight Design. The colourful glasswork sets off a light and contemporary interior which is full of hardwoods and other high quality finishes.
Although Paul Lucker Designs are probably better known for their stained glass and leaded light work, the company also has a strong history with fused glass in contemporary decorative lighting for clubs and casinos, and this experience shows through in the dramatic forms of this latest project.

A few of the screens are shown here.

Restoration for other leaded light companies.

2008-07-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

We are sometimes asked by other leaded light companies to produce stained glass artwork for incorporation into their restoration projects. This project, at All Saints Church, Halifax, was one such case. John Crabtree, who often helps Paul Lucker Designs with difficult sitework projects, was our client in this case. See below before and after shots of one of the windows we restored.

St Thomas`s Church Longroyd Bridge

2008-06-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Full restoration of East window after major vandalism.

(Scaffolding still in place).

Window of the month

2008-05-23T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hillcrest

Landing window in residential property
Original design in copper foil construction, all glasses original cast and special effects, bespoke to this project.

THE ROYAL HALL, HARROGATE

2008-04-30T02:38:00.001-07:00

Warmest congratulations from Paul Lucker Designs to Harrogate Borough Council, HBG Contracts and everyone involved in the fantastic restoration of THE ROYAL HALL, HARROGATE.

New stained glass window to the North Staircase supplied by Paul Lucker Designs, to commemorate completion of the restoration.

This window is just one of approximately 500 square metres of repaired, restored, replacement or new design stained glass and leaded lights supplied as part of this major refurbishment project.