DALLE DE VERRE

Our studio adopted Dalle de Verre after a project request, despite no prior experience. Popular in Kenya, this method creates bold, powerful works and doubles as security glass—20mm thick, encased in a steel frame with welded reinforcement, and set with poured concrete for strength.

We now repurpose hard-to-dispose glass bottles, melting them into slabs for cutting into designs. Recently, we’ve crafted glass and steel furniture for outdoor use, and we’re open to larger architectural projects using this technique.

A Brief History of the Dalle de Verre Method

The Dalle de Verre technique, meaning "slab of glass" in French, emerged in the early 20th century as a bold evolution of stained glass artistry. Developed in France during the 1930s, it was pioneered by artists and glassmakers like Jean Gaudin and Auguste Labouret, who sought to break from the delicate, lead-bound traditions of medieval stained glass. Instead, they used thick, hand-cast glass slabs—up to an inch or more in thickness—set into concrete or epoxy resin frames. This method allowed for vibrant, jewel-like colors and dramatic light effects, perfect for modern architectural spaces.

The technique gained traction after World War II, especially in the 1950s and 60s, as architects embraced its strength and versatility for churches, public buildings, and abstract designs. Its popularity spread globally, with notable works appearing in Europe, North America, and beyond. Though labor-intensive, Dalle de Verre remains celebrated today for its sculptural quality and ability to transform light into a vivid, tactile experience.