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 1st 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
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