Decorative leadlight glass by Spectrum Art Glass - Australian Window Association

All available space at the Leichhardt Aged Care Facility is maximised to its full potential, so when not in use, the facility's chapel doubles as a gym and games room.

In 2005 Australia's leading decorative glass specialist, Spectrum Art Glass, was approached by the Leichhardt Aged Care Facility to work with artist Sarah White and window manufacturer Superior Windows with a specific brief for two leadlight windows that would add colour, movement and life to the chapel, to inspire and comfort the centre's inhabitants whether they were there to pray, relax or have fun.

Robert Hawkins, Leadlights Contractor for Spectrum Art Glass, a respected member of the Australian Window Association (AWA), comments, "I worked closely with artist Sarah White for 2 months designing the windows. The designs were then entered into the computer as an EPS file and drawn out with a plotter ready for manufacturing."

The 'canvases' were two large windows, 2500mm high x 4000mm wide, split into seven equal sizes for installation purposes.

The windows faced a busy road and were positioned low to the footpath, so an artistic representation such as a leadlight window did not sacrifice the view, in fact, it created a stunning and colourful point of interest in an otherwise standard room.

After site inspections with the builder (Paynter & Dixon), window manufacturer (Superior Windows), artist (Sarah White) and leadlight specialists (Spectrum Art Glass) a decision was made to triple-glaze the windows for protection, longevity, comfort and cleaning purposes.

The final designs are entitled 'Journey Into Life'. They follow a contemporary theme that suits the modern building.

Construction details
Leadlight windows: Robert Hawkins, Spectrum Art Glass.
Artistic consultant: Sarah White.
Builder: Norm Tyrell, Paynter and Dixon.
Window contractor: Matthew Verlin, Superior Windows.

The project entailed around 350 windows, 70 sliding doors, 15 hinged doors and 2 commercial sliding doors.
Vantage Architectural Window Systems and Capral provided the window suites.
Pilkington supplied the glass, 6.38mm and 10.38mm clear laminate and spandrate panels with a light grey back.
Powder coat (aluminium finish) was Dulux Berry Grey and Oyster.
The windows had to achieve a STC rating of 34 in sleeping areas and 31 in common room and multi purpose areas. Sliding doors had to achieve a STC rating of 34 in bedrooms and 31 in lounge and multi purpose rooms.
Vantage 516 series awnings and fixtures were used, with a 25mm thick reveal with bullnose and hunches to accommodate the architraves.
Sliding doors were from the Vantage 541 series.
All remaining windows were from the Vantage 400 series with 50 series doors.
The leadlight windows were protected by the Capral Flushline 419 series.
Capral Flushline 50 series sashes were hung on the inside for protection and cleaning purposes.
The project ran from August 05 to December 06.

About the design
Artist Sarah White was given the task of putting the dreams and vision for the Marion into pictorial form. Sarah heard about a resident who had been given a verse from scripture in her time of uncertainty. Job 42:12 The Lord blessed the last part of Job's life even more than he had blessed the first. Armed with this information, Sarah prayerfully designed these two windows titled 'Journey Into Life'.

PART 1: In God's Hands
The first window (the bigger picture) depicts God's intention for his people. Christ is shown at the centre of our journey in life, and the activity surrounding him conveys the interdependence of the human family and creation - our being one with the earth and living harmoniously within the created world.

PART 2: The Small Moments
This second window is an abstract representation of the Drummoyne to Leichhardt area, with an underlying theme of the abundance of God's provision. This window captures the Australian landscape, depicting its diversity and the diversity of its people. The picture gives a message - that quality and fulfillment can be found in the small moments of life, like smelling a flower, greeting a friend or gazing on a view.

Ribbons are a connecting theme between the windows, in this Journey Into Life. They: