The Naismith Lounge

Photography: Jon Blumb

This is a pair of sidelights located on the Kansas University campus. They are on the second floor of the Parrot Annex between the auditorium and the main building in a room they call The Naismith Lounge.

The location proved a difficult one to work with. The only available natural light was from a row of Northern windows. There was a hall corridor, about four feet of set back, then the entryway. If a dark or opaque glass was used the natural light would not be sufficient to illuminate the window. The KU Jayhawk has three brilliant colors, red, yellow, and a medium value blue. Because of the difficulties with the illumination of the windows, a clear design was agreed upon and I started the design process. To portray the Jayhawk I carved the image in relief on a 5" beveled circle. Because different areas were carved at various depths, a three dimensional representation of the Jayhawk was achieved. The final technique was to fire polished the piece in a kiln. After removing the Jayhawk from the kiln the etched areas had softened, and taken on a slight sheen. The rest of the window has clear handblown roundels set as the background. Because of the difference in thickness, wherever the roundels were cut, the edged had to be handbeveled in order to fit into the lead caimes. The bevel widths vary from 3/8" to 5/8" . The two outer borders are also beveled. The windows are assembled with brass caimes. Lead caimes were used around the roundels only.

Because of the use of bevels and clear glasses, the windows are highly visible when viewed from either side. Even though the glasses allowed light to be transmitted, the view was distorted by the textures that occur in the roundels along with the angled edges of the bevels. This allowed for a more private setting for the patrons while the room is in use.

A close up of the KU Jayhawk is portrayed. This shows how much detail is in the 5" beveled circle.

These are the beveled mirrors that make up the back bar. All the beveled edges are 3/4" wide. The borders are 5" in width and the large mirrors in the center are squares. There are five separate sections that fit edge to edge. They are assembled with 3/8" brass caimes.

Photography: Jon Blumb