http://www.GlassArtMagazine.com Glass Art TM • May/June 2016 • 37Outside environments with extreme temperature variation such
as Juneau, Alaska, have led Gordinier to develop structurally dy-
namic glass. “The climate in Juneau is brutal and not conducive to
cast glass. You don’t want to risk it blowing up if the thermometer
dips from temperate levels to 15 degrees below zero. The dynamic
glass is achieved by stacking and laminating 4- to 5-inch-thick pan-
els of art glass. Even though it takes more time and money to do so,
we laminate the stacks to produce a laminated structural glass that
is two inches larger all around from what I eventually will need.
Then we take the laminated glass to a water jet table and punch in
a program, and the water jet cuts the desired object flawlessly, even
in the tightest corners. These laminated sculptures can be installed
outside and withstand the weather.”
Walter Gordinier, Sticks and Stones – Dark Bouldering,
20" x 9' x 1-1/2", 2015. Private, California.Walter Gordinier, Aqua Repose,
24 ' x 8' x 1-1/2", 2011. This is a standing
glass screen in an interfaith chapel. The
chapel was designed by Walter Gordinier.
Baylor Hospital, Texas.Walter Gordinier, Crossover,
12 ' x 30' x 12", 2011. The goal was
to design an iconic sculptural feature
woven into the fabric of the architecture.
Baylor Hospital, Texas.Gordinier researches regional materials and their properties as
part of developing his proposals. For an upcoming commission in
a Washington State park, he will couple the laminated glass with
Oregon’s columnar basalt stone. That project has three sculptural
features. “I thought I’d take the basalt to a stone mason to cut out
big sections of the stone. Then I will replace what they remove with
laminated structural glass.”
Part of the value Gordinier brings to a project is his ease in
working with general contractors and all of their subcontractors
to get the job done. “Even as a kid, it didn’t bother me to accept
a challenge that I didn’t know much about. I’m smart enough to
engage in dialogue with others who know the materials, processes,
and terrain, and keep a project moving forward.”