Glass: Technical and Reflective Rationality and the Implementation of a Sustainable Business Model

Abstract

This paper presents the research and development of pre-17th century kiln technology, which has led to the design of a new sustainable studio glass furnace with modern technology and materials. The aim of this research was to provide a breakthrough for sustainable studio glass technology. This way of working is far more labour-intensive, but this is not a negative. With the glassmaker more in control of the materials and the process, the skills that previously were thought beyond modern knowledge are retrievable again.

Underpinning this research is a deeper enquiry into the place and position of tacit knowledge. Comparing the technical rationality of today with pre-industrial revolution reflective rationality, I will suggest that our actual mode of thinking, the way we think as a society, actively undermines the importance and recognition of tacit skill. There is a necessity for the re-evaluation of tacit knowledge within administrative and political structures. In modern society with technical rationality as its dominant model of thinking, the working practitioner has very little credibility or voice. All my work is an attempt to square the circle – joining learning and making a living, history with the future, valuing the whole person – learning as much as writing – and the kiln design is an aspect of this determination to look to the past for what could be used in the future, just as I use a historical lens to view how tacit skills were valued in the past and how they could and should be valued again.

The paper presents the findings of the first part of my research project, presented at the 2009 Making Futures conference, evidencing proof of concept from the first furnace designs, through the success of outcomes which were set out at the beginning of the project.

In collaboration with Dartington Crystal and the Shops at Dartington, I am building on my previous research with the design of a new type of glass furnace by placing a prototype into a professional environment in order to demonstrate that a sustainable and viable business model for graduates is possible.

The project will dramatically increase the capacity of PCA’s glass facility and provide learning experiences for our students via WBL and internship opportunities and graduate start up schemes. During the next year, a larger furnace will be constructed for this site which will incorporate more than 1 crucible, a gloryhole and lehr. As with the current prototype, this new equipment will then be tested and evaluated in a professional and business context.