New images show the future of glassmaking in Sunderland.
The architect-designed images form part of a planning application submitted to transform a former warehouse into a new home for glassmaking in the city.
After months of design work and consultation with artists, makers and creative businesses, Sunderland City Council has now received an application to develop the historic former Peter Smith Antiques building in Sunniside into Glassworks: Sunderland, a vibrant hub for glassmaking, ceramics and creative production.
If planning permission is approved, Glassworks: Sunderland will provide specialist facilities, workspaces, learning opportunities and business support for glassmakers and creative enterprises.
The planning application reveals:
- Glassworks will welcome the public throughout the ground and first floor for classes and activities, but the building is primarily conceived as a space for glassmakers;
- Each discipline of glassmaking and ceramics currently available at the National Glass Centre (NGC) will be retained in the new facility.
- The building has been designed with equitable access throughout with a lift reaching all floors.
- The design retains the historic fabric with exposed brick, stone staircases and original features from the 19th century Durham and Sunderland County Institute for the Blind.
- The upper floors are available for flexible creative offices and maker studios – more studio space is proposed than currently available at NGC.
- Glassworks will have an energy efficient and decarbonising layout backed by a dedicated on-site substation.
- Heat produced from the 1,150oC furnaces will be recovered to warm the co-working and public spaces.
Tom Billington, Chair of Sunderland Culture, who have submitted the application, explained: “Glassworks is a reimagined, future-facing, community-driven centre of excellence that will safeguard world-class glassmaking in the city. It is not a replacement for NGC, there will be no café or galleries, but Glassworks is a critical intervention to retain skills, talent and production capacity in Sunderland.”
Nick Malyan, Chief Executive Officer, Sunderland Culture, added: “Glassworks will support makers through access to facilities, shared resources, routes to market, commissions, business support and professional development. Our aim is that Glassworks will build a larger more resilient maker ecosystem, and we thank Sunderland glassmakers for their support and practical advice in drawing up our plans.”
Sarah Brown, Chair of the national Contemporary Glass Society, said: “Sunderland’s connection with glass is recognised around the world, and Glassworks: Sunderland plans to enable glassmaking to continue in the city for many years to come.
“We hope that the provision of much-needed facilities, skills development and business support for artists and makers, will help to inspire the next generation of talent. Its impact will be felt not only in Sunderland but across the UK glass sector, making it a project of genuine national importance.”
A decision on the planning application will be taken at a Sunderland City Council planning committee meeting in early Autumn.
In 2022 the University of Sunderland commissioned a feasibility study which concluded the NGC required multimillion-pound repair costs which were not achievable given the University’s commitment to its core activities of teaching, research, innovation and knowledge exchange.
Since then, Sunderland Culture has been working closely with Sunderland City Council and the University to identify a suitable home to enable artists and makers to continue their glassmaking practice in the city.
A grant of £5m grant towards the project will come from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England. Sunderland Culture is leading fundraising to secure match funding to realise the project which is scheduled to open in 2028.
CGI Rendering: PB Imaging.