Client: Safeway Supermarket

Location: Bethesda, MD, United States

Completion date: 2011

Artwork budget: $125,000

Project Team

Artist

Michael Janis

Washington Glass Studio

Artist

Erwin Timmers

Washington Glass Studio

Artist

Tim Tate

Washington Glass Studio

Overview

With Safeway Supermarket's direction to have their new building act as a civic gateway to Bethesda, MD's Central Business District, Safeway commissioned the Washington Glass Studio to design and integrate artwork created using sustainable design into the architectural façade of the building. The wall of artwork will activate the street along the Bradley Street façade, and marks the first public artwork commission by the national supermarket chain for its stores. Over 40 feet long and over 10 feet high, the glass and steel artwork provides a strong visual element .

Goals

Safeway recently completed construction of a LEED certified supermarket as part of Safeway s commitment to greening its stores. Safeway commissioned the Washington Glass Studio to design and integrate artwork created using sustainable design into the architectural façade of the building.

Process

Responding to the architectural design by Rounds VanDuzer Architects, the large scale artwork features colorful cast recycled glass made from glass salvaged from the original Safeway supermarket on this same site.