The Atelier Nosqua, located in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, is a true creative laboratory dedicated to the art of glass. Founded in 2021 by Manon Fernandez and Gauthier Dietschi, Nosqua embodies the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Let’s explore the journey of this duo of glass artisans, what drives them, and their approach to their work.

What is your background, and how did you meet ?

The project to create Nosqua came to us quite early. We were already discussing it towards the end of our higher education. We initially formed a collective of four, hence the name Nosqua, which is a fusion of “Nos” and “Quatuor” (Quartet). When we established the business, we wanted to keep this name even though there are two of us we are two as it embodies the concept of creating pieces with multiple perspectives.

Why did you choose to work with glass?

For Gauthier, glass has been a passion he discovered as a child, while for me, it happened somewhat by chance. Although it’s a finicky material to work with, its attraction due to its interaction with light captivated us. The transparency of glass and the multitude of ways to work with it constantly fuel our creativity.

What sets you apart from other glass workshops?

First of all, we work with flat glass. There are many workshops like ours in France, but despite that, hot glass, which is glass blowing, is more well-known and highlighted. What distinguishes us from other flat glass workshops is that we borrow techniques from other disciplines and apply them to our glass; we hammer it, we fuse it…

We have created a range of custom surfaces from the scraps of our collections. Through the principle of devitrification and extensive research, we develop patterns inspired by atmospheric phenomena.

What is devitrification? How do these patterns appear in these particular surfaces you call atmospheric?

Devitrification occurs when glass loses its crystalline appearance. Atmospheric surfaces play with the contrast between the transparency of the glass and its matte side. After sanding some pieces, we create compositions with our glass scraps that we arrange in a mold according to the desired effect. The magic happens during the firing at very high temperatures, and the surfaces reveal themselves. Finally, we polish and buff them for the finishing touch.

You create custom surfaces but your background as designers has led you to create objects. Can you tell us more about that?

We create designs that are all unique pieces and are produced in limited series. Our first creation is the Sancy lamp, composed of a glass piece with small handcrafted shards and a base that varies depending on the region. Since we are located in Auvergne, we worked on a lava base in partnership with Andésite. The next development will be a porcelain base.

For Symbiose, we wanted to bring wood and glass into dialogue. So, we worked with a solid oak log, incorporating one of our surfaces to create a piece of furniture that can serve as a stool or end table.

Our creations primarily take the form of glass walls, lighting fixturesand glass furniture. We enjoy creating intriguing pieces that invite user interaction and can be viewed from different angles.

What project do you dream of accomplishing?

Perhaps a monumental Sancy lamp in a hotel lobby. The idea of furnishing an entire room with one of our surfaces also excites us greatly.

Photos – ©Nosqua