Nick Allen’s design practice is material based and led. Working from his fully equipped workshop in Battersea on public and private commissions; experimenting and developing a creative use of technology with his team of skilled and dedicated artists/craftspeople, Nick produces award winning, innovative one off designs. These new techniques are then translated into architectural fittings and functional art objects – from glass goblets to bronze doors, furniture and lighting in materials as varied as cast and fused glass, high-fired Limoges porcelain, cast bronze, pewter, silver and exotic veneers and woods.

Nick also provides input as a consultant as well as a team member. He takes on two projects a year advising and managing schemes in the role of lead artist, which provides the opportunity of ‘testing his workshop’s facilities and the gifted craftspeople who work with him, but also providing the opportunity of placing other makers work. Nick works regularly with architects and leading interior designers. Among the practices he has worked with are Munchenbeck and marshall, David Chipperfield, Rick Mather and Robert Venturi (the Sainsbury wing of the National Gallery, London) and Colefax and Fowler, whilst maintaining an active client list.

Nick’s work is represented in the collections of the Design Museum, the National Museum of Scotland and his drawings and furniture are in the collections of the V&A, the Museum of London and an installation at the Museum and City Library, Sunderland. His mixed media objects – furniture, sculpture and glassware have been exhibited widely in Germany, France, Holland, USA and Hong Kong.

Awards

 Nick Allen has received various awards including the DIA Dartington Glass 1^st Prize for innovative glass design, a Silver and a Bronze Starpac medal for packaging. Nick has six Guildmarks awarded by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. He is a freeman of the City of London, a livery-man with the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, he is a member of the Society of Glass Technologists, the Institute of Materials and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Past Commissions Include;

• Glass screening
• Sculpted doors in Afromosa and fused glass for private residence
• ‘Cola’ 2m x 2m art glass panel for Che restaurant, St James’, London
• State chair for Her Majesty The Queen’s visit to Westminster Cathedral – rosewood with inlaid mother-of-pearl and abalone shell
• Designs for furniture in bronze and glass, Bahamas
• Designs for rugs, furniture and lighting – private commissions, Menton, France
• Bronze Doors, Kuwait
• 2m high cast glass stalagmite sculpture for Sunderland Museum and Library, UK
• Produce designs for new interiors retailer in Paris
• Apartments as lead artist project co-ordinator and designer, including bathroom and bedroom furniture
• Table and glass – Dorchester chef’s dining room, London
• Console table in bronze and oak – hunting lodge, Bavaria

 Recent Works (highlights)

• A screen in clear glass with Bristol blue cameo heads, short-listed for Glass Sellers Award
• Award winning new-build house – Putney, London 2006
• Cascade water feature – Amsterdam
• Production manufacture for lighting company
• Interior – Kitchen, bathroom and dressing room
• Interior – Bedroom/bathroom suite including fitted and unfitted furniture and fittings
• 2 Cast glass and bronze tables