Paul Housberg
Encyclopedia
Paul Housberg is an American glass art
ist recognized for his use of fused
and kilnformed glass as an architectural medium. He currently resides in Jamestown, RI.
While he was at RISD, Housberg studied glass under artist Dale Chihuly
and in 1972, a year after it was founded, he studied at the Pilchuck Glass School
in Stanwood, WA.
Early in his career, Housberg studied painting, but was drawn to glass for its atmospheric color. He began working in stained glass but eventually moved to work in kilnformed glass as an alternative to the lead structure of traditional stained glass.
After his graduate work at RISD, he studied in England with Patrick Reyntiens
, a pioneer in contemporary stained glass and the author of The Technique of Stained Glass. This experience was made possible by a scholarship he received from the New York Experimental Glass Workshop, now known as Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY.
In 1986, as a Fulbright Scholar, Housberg worked at the International Center for Glass Research (CIRVA) in Marseille, France
. He spent his time exploring various glass techniques such as fusing, slumping
, and kiln-casting. This endeavor was supported in part by a donation of glass from Bullseye Glass in Portland, OR, a pioneer in the manufacturer of fusible glass.
Although Housberg continues to explore and implement multiple techniques in his work, he is best known for his architectural installations consisting of colorful kilnformed tiles with a sawtooth relief.
in New York City. This work was done with the architecture firm Swanke Hayden Connell Ltd. of New York and incorporated cast glass fabricated in conjunction with Fenton Art Glass
. The 8'h x 21'w wall is of Dreyfus's iconic lion, standing in tall grass.
His second major commission was in 1993 for Pfizer Inc in Groton, CT where he worked with the architectural firm CUH2A Inc.
, Princeton, NJ. The work was for four 12’h x 11’w walls, each depicting a season. Four Seasons is made of cast and laminated glass.
His third major installation was completed in 1999 at the William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse Annex in Scranton, PA designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Wilkes-Barre, PA. This 14’h x 40’w work was commissioned by the U.S. General Services Administration
Art in Architecture Program.
In 2001, Housberg completed his first installation to use his signature sawtooth glass tiles. The 12’h x 9’w backlit, kilnformed glass wall is in the lobby of The Peninsula Chicago
.
In 2009, Housberg completed a large installation at the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS)
building designed by HOK San Francisco. This particular work was fabricated in collaboration with Derix Glass Studio and Lamberts Glas. The piece features tiles composed of handblown glass treated with vitreous enamels and laminated to mirror. The tiles are mounted to four walls in the lobby.
In 2010, Housberg completed a public art series in Rhode Island at the Governor Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex.
Naugatuck Valley Community College Waterbury, CT, 2008. Architect: Amenta/Emma Architects
University of Utah Marriott Library Salt Lake City, UT, 2008. Interior Architect: MJSAA Architects
Logan International Gateway Massachusetts Port Authority, 2007. Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
Tooele Third District Court Utah Arts Council, 2007. Architect: MHTN Architects
William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Scranton, PA, 1999. Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Alpenglow Elementary School Eagle River, AK, Percent for Art, 1995
Montgomery County Government Art in Public Architecture, Bethesda, MD, Little Falls
Community Library, 1991
The New York Helmsley Hotel New York, NY, 2010. Designer: J/Brice International
California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Sacramento, CA, 2009. Architect: HOK
Silver Towers New York City, NY, 2009. Architect: Costas Kondylis and Partners
Women & Infants Hospital Providence, RI, 2009. Architect: Anshen + Allen
Florida Hospital Orlando, FL, 2008. Architect: Hunton Brady Architects
Ink 48 Hotel New York, NY, 2008. Interior Architect: Rockwell Group
Radisson Lexington New York, NY, 2007. Designer: Stonehill and Taylor
Children’s Specialized Hospital New Brunswick, NJ, 2007. Architect: HKS; Interior Architect: Granary Associates
GTECH Providence, RI, 2006. Architect: Spagnolo Gisness & Associates
California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco, CA, 2005. Architect: SMWM
Ernst & Young Boston, MA, 2005. Architect: Gensler
Geoffrey & Keenie Fieger residence Bloomfield Hills, MI 2004
St. Regis Resort Aspen, CO, 2004
Marriott Hotel Richmond, VA, 2003
Temple Habonim Barrington, RI, 2003
Graves 601 Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, 2003. Designer: Yabu Pushelberg
The Peninsula Hotel Chicago, IL, 2001. Designer: BAMO
Integrative Center for Health Pawtucket, RI, 2000
Pfizer Inc. Groton, CT, 1993. Architect: CUH2A Inc
The Dreyfus Corporation New York, NY, 1990. Architect: Swanke Hayden Connell Ltd.
His work was also featured in Stephen Knapp’s The Art of Glass: Integrating Architecture and Glass
Glass art
Studio glass or glass sculpture is the modern use of glass as an artistic medium to produce sculptures or three-dimensional artworks. Specific approaches include working glass at room temperature cold working, stained glass, working glass in a torch flame , glass beadmaking, glass casting, glass...
ist recognized for his use of fused
Fused glass
Fused glass is a term used to describe glass that has been fired in a kiln at a range of high temperatures from to . There are 3 main distinctions for temperature application and the resulting effect on the glass....
and kilnformed glass as an architectural medium. He currently resides in Jamestown, RI.
Biography
Housberg received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (1975) and Master of Fine Arts (1979) degrees from Rhode Island School of Design where he has also served as an instructor at various times during 1978-1997.While he was at RISD, Housberg studied glass under artist Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur.-Biography:Chihuly graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma, Washington. He enrolled at the College of the Puget Sound in 1959...
and in 1972, a year after it was founded, he studied at the Pilchuck Glass School
Pilchuck Glass School
Founded in 1971 by Dale Chihuly, Anne Gould Hauberg and John H. Hauberg , Pilchuck Glass School is an international center for glass art education. The name "Pilchuck" comes from the local Native American language and translates to "red river"...
in Stanwood, WA.
Early in his career, Housberg studied painting, but was drawn to glass for its atmospheric color. He began working in stained glass but eventually moved to work in kilnformed glass as an alternative to the lead structure of traditional stained glass.
After his graduate work at RISD, he studied in England with Patrick Reyntiens
Patrick Reyntiens
Patrick Reyntiens, OBE, is an English stained glass artist.He is notable for his work on Liverpool's Roman Catholic Cathedral and on the new Coventry Cathedral in collaboration with the artist John Piper...
, a pioneer in contemporary stained glass and the author of The Technique of Stained Glass. This experience was made possible by a scholarship he received from the New York Experimental Glass Workshop, now known as Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY.
In 1986, as a Fulbright Scholar, Housberg worked at the International Center for Glass Research (CIRVA) in Marseille, France
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
. He spent his time exploring various glass techniques such as fusing, slumping
Slumping
Slumping is one broad technique of warm glass working, for the forming of glass by applying heat to the point where the glass will soften. The increasing fluidity of the glass with temperature causes the glass to 'slump' into or onto the mold under the force of gravity.- Technique :Glass is most...
, and kiln-casting. This endeavor was supported in part by a donation of glass from Bullseye Glass in Portland, OR, a pioneer in the manufacturer of fusible glass.
About his work
Housberg is noted for his inventive applications of glassworking technologies in architectural settings. Central to his work are the tactile qualities of glass and the expression of its materiality.Although Housberg continues to explore and implement multiple techniques in his work, he is best known for his architectural installations consisting of colorful kilnformed tiles with a sawtooth relief.
Architectural Installations
Housberg’s first large architectural commission was in 1990 from The Dreyfus Corporation for the MetLife BuildingMetLife Building
The MetLife Building, originally called the Pan Am Building, is a skyscraper located at 200 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.-History:...
in New York City. This work was done with the architecture firm Swanke Hayden Connell Ltd. of New York and incorporated cast glass fabricated in conjunction with Fenton Art Glass
Fenton Art Glass Company
The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Originally, they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they were unable to buy the glass they needed. They...
. The 8'h x 21'w wall is of Dreyfus's iconic lion, standing in tall grass.
His second major commission was in 1993 for Pfizer Inc in Groton, CT where he worked with the architectural firm CUH2A Inc.
HDR, Inc.
HDR Inc. is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm based in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. HDR has worked on projects in all 50 U.S. states and in 60 countries, including notable projects such as the Hoover Dam Bypass, TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, and the The Roslin Institute building...
, Princeton, NJ. The work was for four 12’h x 11’w walls, each depicting a season. Four Seasons is made of cast and laminated glass.
His third major installation was completed in 1999 at the William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse Annex in Scranton, PA designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Wilkes-Barre, PA. This 14’h x 40’w work was commissioned by the U.S. General Services Administration
General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. The GSA supplies products and communications for U.S...
Art in Architecture Program.
In 2001, Housberg completed his first installation to use his signature sawtooth glass tiles. The 12’h x 9’w backlit, kilnformed glass wall is in the lobby of The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago is a 20 story luxury hotel located at the intersection of East Superior street and North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The hotel is part of The Peninsula hotels group based in Hong Kong. In late 2009 the hotel was purchased by Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels who...
.
In 2009, Housberg completed a large installation at the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS)
building designed by HOK San Francisco. This particular work was fabricated in collaboration with Derix Glass Studio and Lamberts Glas. The piece features tiles composed of handblown glass treated with vitreous enamels and laminated to mirror. The tiles are mounted to four walls in the lobby.
In 2010, Housberg completed a public art series in Rhode Island at the Governor Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex.
Select Public Art Commissions
The Governor Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex Warwick, RI, 2010. Architect: HOK, NYNaugatuck Valley Community College Waterbury, CT, 2008. Architect: Amenta/Emma Architects
University of Utah Marriott Library Salt Lake City, UT, 2008. Interior Architect: MJSAA Architects
Logan International Gateway Massachusetts Port Authority, 2007. Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
Tooele Third District Court Utah Arts Council, 2007. Architect: MHTN Architects
William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Scranton, PA, 1999. Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Alpenglow Elementary School Eagle River, AK, Percent for Art, 1995
Montgomery County Government Art in Public Architecture, Bethesda, MD, Little Falls
Community Library, 1991
Select Private Installations
Frick Chemistry Lab, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, 2010. Architect: Hopkins Architects, London in collaboration with Payette Associates, BostonThe New York Helmsley Hotel New York, NY, 2010. Designer: J/Brice International
California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Sacramento, CA, 2009. Architect: HOK
Silver Towers New York City, NY, 2009. Architect: Costas Kondylis and Partners
Women & Infants Hospital Providence, RI, 2009. Architect: Anshen + Allen
Florida Hospital Orlando, FL, 2008. Architect: Hunton Brady Architects
Ink 48 Hotel New York, NY, 2008. Interior Architect: Rockwell Group
Radisson Lexington New York, NY, 2007. Designer: Stonehill and Taylor
Children’s Specialized Hospital New Brunswick, NJ, 2007. Architect: HKS; Interior Architect: Granary Associates
GTECH Providence, RI, 2006. Architect: Spagnolo Gisness & Associates
California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco, CA, 2005. Architect: SMWM
Ernst & Young Boston, MA, 2005. Architect: Gensler
Geoffrey & Keenie Fieger residence Bloomfield Hills, MI 2004
St. Regis Resort Aspen, CO, 2004
Marriott Hotel Richmond, VA, 2003
Temple Habonim Barrington, RI, 2003
Graves 601 Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, 2003. Designer: Yabu Pushelberg
The Peninsula Hotel Chicago, IL, 2001. Designer: BAMO
Integrative Center for Health Pawtucket, RI, 2000
Pfizer Inc. Groton, CT, 1993. Architect: CUH2A Inc
The Dreyfus Corporation New York, NY, 1990. Architect: Swanke Hayden Connell Ltd.
Publications
Housberg’s work has been published in The New Glass Review and in the book Luxury Hotels America By Martin Nicholas Kunz, Patrice Farameh, Patricia Massó.His work was also featured in Stephen Knapp’s The Art of Glass: Integrating Architecture and Glass