The Andrew Moor Library Room

The “stained glass window making (historic)” was formally designated by Heritage Crafts as a new endangered craft in 2023. This designation marks the urgency of triggering interest within the population, which can lead to further safeguarding existing knowledge and the essential specialised skills required for creating Stained Glass Windows.

I pictured a space within my studio that would be a haven for potential future professionals to access Couleurlive's specialist library of approx 150 books, which span the many topics within Stained Glass, from the traditional history of stained glass to contemporary creations in the UK and abroad.

The Andrew Moor Library Room is taking shape.

I am now calling for support and collaboration to make The Library Room possible.

It would be most beautiful to find someone (or a few people) who is (are) so passionate about stained glass to become benefactor(s).

The idea behind the project

The conservation or creation of Stained glass craft is partially dependent on this current generation of active contemporary studios, to welcome, cultivate and nurture the next generation of people interested in the craft.

The Andrew Moor Library & Study Area catalogue was started about a year ago. In July, I welcomed Lucy, who completed a period of work experience at the studio, and contributed a few working hours to keep cataloguing books. She also practised some stained glass painting using nibs and practised her calligraphy skills.

It is named after the author of the first book I found in Paris in 1995, translated from English to French, which inspired me to apply my fine arts skills to stained glass.

(Architectural Glass Art by Andrew Moor)

Using the Andrew Moor Library Room

The Library Room was partially conceived in response to a very small number of high-quality stained glass resource books or e-books in small or medium-sized local libraries.

In practice since 1998, I have accumulated a vast array of books from my student days, to now a working studio owner. When I set up my studio in Shrewsbury after studying stained glass, I was curious to see what the local library held; the one or two I did manage to find favoured the amateur or hobbyist.

Today, my studio is spacious enough to welcome someone whilst I am working, which will provide a starting point to satisfy curiosity in starting or perfecting a career in our trade. The access to my studio is a 5-minute walk from the provided public transport (train or bus). Shropshire is home to some of the most beautiful historical examples and collections of stained glass, as well as contemporary works. 

The Library Room will aim to provide a comfortable space and a desk to sit at to read one of the books selected from the catalogue I am currently putting together. This space will be comfortable all year through, compared to other areas of my workshop, which can be colder in autumn or winter.

Delighted to have been invited to promote Couleurlive Ltd in the Wem and Shropshire Library Community Information Booklet 2025-2027, especially as I am gathering all information to discuss with local libraries how we can best be complementary and interactive with one another. Paul, the gentleman who invited me to promote in this booklet, mentioned that Wem organises workshop activities. I am looking forward to interacting with them; contacting them is my next step forward. Paul was enthusiastic about my project and provided me with the name to contact. Within the same week, the owner of my site, Robert, agreed to the plans for shaping and building the Library Room.

Designing The Andrew Moor Library Room

In the design, I started with the idea of keeping the Couleurlive’s spirit of recycling. I have stocks of wood from my previous studio, as well as some left over from the construction of this new studio. (See picture below the wood on the floor, defining the room size)

This was a starting point to design the frame in accordance with the logic and the purpose. The door I created in my very first studio back in 1998, in Ironbridge, will be the entrance door to the room. (See picture below the door in the background)

I am glad that Robert shared my wish to reuse and recycle wherever possible. He wished to build it, and I am waiting for his quote.

As you enter the library room on the left, I have my stocks, and on the right side, I have my cartooning and design area.

In the logic of this, on the left side of the frontal frame, I will display a colour chart of glass samples from the stockists and another set of samples from what I have in my stocks. ( See below an example of a stock colours chart displayed in a French studio)

On the right side, I will have test pieces I had done for designs, textures and potential painting ideas for the past stained glass or for the latest projects.

I do have large stocks of glass. This will allow the breakdown of the range available for designs. Some of the stock could be glass that is no longer produced. This is for either very special Restoration projects, or to add exception to the contemporary stained glass which we create. 

The Library room will be integrated into the fabric of the studio, with illuminated panels on the front elevation. The ceiling will be flat and lower than the studio's roof, and a ceiling material will be used that ensures the maximum amount of natural light.

Because it's integrated into the studio, this adds more to the pleasure of reading books about stained glass within a dedicated studio. 

For further information or to discuss the project further,

please contact us.