Double Take: Interior Glass Pushes the Boundaries
Ethereal photographic images seem embedded in these wall-size glass panels
Artist Uta Nagel is combining photography, technology and architectural glass and taking all three to new heights. She began her career as a graphic designer and photographer in the fashion industry, and became fascinated with large-scale images for offices. "There was such a lack of good ideas and good inventive firm-related images," she says. "So I invented some large images and was lucky to have an agent that took me worldwide." One of her large projects was a hospital in Toronto.
Now in Vancouver, Nagel continues to develop her craft and works on residential projects as well as commercial ones. "I reinvent and elevate architectural glass into a unique interior design element for the 21st century," she says. "Trying to push the boundaries beyond art, I am continually striving to merge technology with design." Here's a look at how she's done so thus far.
Now in Vancouver, Nagel continues to develop her craft and works on residential projects as well as commercial ones. "I reinvent and elevate architectural glass into a unique interior design element for the 21st century," she says. "Trying to push the boundaries beyond art, I am continually striving to merge technology with design." Here's a look at how she's done so thus far.
The idea to use these on interiors came from a lack of good options available. "It was mostly the yearning for large art that incorporates the wall that inspired me; other than wallpaper, it is hard to find," Nagel says.
Creating the pieces "is an intuitive process — it is very specific to the project and emotional," Nagel says. "Sometimes clients will have an idea and tell me the feeling they want to have when entering a space, and then I create that."
Some of the unique qualities of Nagel's work are reflection and dimension. "We play a lot with lit images — so you can actually get more depth out of a room," she says.
Some of the unique qualities of Nagel's work are reflection and dimension. "We play a lot with lit images — so you can actually get more depth out of a room," she says.
The images are photographs by Nagel or her team, which is also led by architect Vadim Kadoshnikov; nature is her favorite subject. She converts the photos into graphic design elements that fit the space she's working with. For instance, the graceful silhouettes of trees add to the relaxed feel of this bathroom.
After years of Nagel's developing the process, the finished product is waterproof, UV-proof for 30 years and very sturdy. It can also take on vibrant colors, even neon hues. Are you thinking about which wall in your home is calling for one right now? I am.
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Has a design on Houzz made you do a double take? If so, please post it below and we'll try to get the story for you.