To mark the opening of the Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg, on Thursday 26 January 2012, Orrefors can proudly announce that it has helped to create a unique reception desk for the hotel from lead-free crystal glass weighing 840 kilograms.
Orrefors received the request from Petter Stordalen, owner of the Clarion Hotel Post, in autumn 2011, with the explanation that he wanted a magnificent reception desk that was completely unique in its kind and something very special indeed. His brief was that: “It has to be a giant diamond made from crystal,” so the hotel turned to Orrefors, with its specialist expertise in designing and cutting crystal glass in large quantities and large dimensions.
Orrefors is home to a long tradition of cut glass, and over the course of decades skilled craftsmen have painstakingly developed their techniques at Orrefors Glassworks. The pure crystal glass offers endless possibilities when master craftsmen and designers get together, as in this case.
Lena Bergstrom, a designer with Orrefors, was entrusted with the task and accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm: “It was a dream assignment for me as a designer! The use of glass in architecture is something I am passionate about. Working with the skilled craftsmen at Orrefors has been both challenging and stimulating. The biggest challenge was to live up to, and preferably exceed, the customer’s expectations and achieve the right combination of aesthetics, craftsmanship and practicality.”
Lena Bergstrom has been a designer at Orrefors since 1994, and by applying her contemporary design outlook and skill with cut glass has helped to modernise traditional cut crystal through the use of bold designs, as demonstrated in the Carat range of glassware and in unique art glass creations and lighting.
Lena herself describes her design for the reception desk as follows:
“I want to give people the impression that the desk has grown out of the core of the Earth like a magnificent, enormous diamond. I chose the black granite top and plinth and the base and sides to reinforce the sense that it had been mined from the Earth. The black granite also emphasises the graphic impact and creates a stark contrast with the rough, irregular structure of the sparkling ‘diamond’. The hand-cut crystal is mounted on mirror glass to enhance the feeling of depth. With a little imagination the illuminated crystal prisms that frame the desk appear like sophisticated stalactites.”
Orrefors has a rich history of architectural and interior design installations. In many such projects the role of glass has been to create an aesthetically appealing environment while also serving a practical purpose. For Orrefors the Clarion Hotel Post marks a significant step towards finding new settings for crystal glass, as well as a springboard to future projects.
Facts
• The reception desk is constructed from 504 prisms that were cut into various shapes, with a hexagonal prism forming the backbone of the design.
• The total weight of crystal glass is 840 kg.
• Designer: Lena Bergström, Orrefors.
• Made at Orrefors Glassworks from lead-free, hand-cut crystal glass.
• Lighting: Orrefors Prismi, design by Lena Bergström.
For high-resolution images, visit www.orrefors.se, press and image bank.
For more information, please contact
Malin Ljungström, Orrefors Brand Manager