Soda Glass House
Soda Glass House is a design studio established by Jon Watanabe (MASSART ‘08) and Alessia Arregui (RISD ‘15), located in Pawtucket, RI. Our work has been supported by the Windgate-Lamar Fellowship of the Center for Craft and by the RIxDesign Catalyst Program. Soda Glass House is a state-of-the-art multimedia workshop that combines centuries-old craft with the modern touch of energy-efficient equipment and 3D modeling to create distinctive objects and tableware. We aim to merge the refinement of fine Italian glassblowing with the functionality of Northern European and Scandinavian glassware. Our glassware is hand-blown and hand-opened. Each and every product is individually made with care. Drawing from our extensive collection of traditional antique glassblowing molds and tools, we work to develop our own molds and tools through use of 3D modeling, CNC machining, and various fabrication processes. This mix of traditional and modern methods enables us to create works with optic texture and variations of light. The work of Soda Glass House provides a unique range of classic, innovative and whimsical designs to brighten any gathering or adorn any space.
Inspiration
We like to bring a bit of Bauhaus sensibility to the work even though it rarely ever falls in that aesthetic camp. But, like Bauhaus designers, we value work that is streamlined and modern, well made but not fussy. Italian modernism and Japanese approach to functionality has a strong influence on our aesthetics and how we aim to direct the attention of the user. We like to think of the architectural and psychological approach to interior design - not just what’s in front of you but what’s around you and how you relate to it.
We are also motivated by a desire to return to some of the foundational design principles of 20th century modernism. In his 1868 work, Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery and other Details, Charles Locke Eastlake suggests new approaches to interior design and furniture manufacturing. The next 70 years were full of inspiring new ways of thinking that broke from the frills of the Victorian era and brought on a modern approach to artful living. Art Nuevo, Deco, the futurists and modernists of Italy and modern minimalism of Germany, the brass and glass giants of the United States all introducing innovative visions of the future. Great design houses like Venini of Murano, Chase brass of Connecticut and Louis Comfort Tiffany of NYC are some of those who have inspired our professional goals while designers like Carlo Scarpa, Marcel Breuer, Carlo Nason, Anni and Joseph Albers, Ettore Sosttass, Issamu Noguchi, Gio Ponti, Sol LeWitt, Gerrit Rietveld, and others have inspired our design sensibilities in various ways.
Post-war 20th century modernism returned to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s mantra of “less is more.” The pre-war Bauhaus vision of the future was made reality by its offspring - this time state-side and in Scandinavia. Unfortunately, the convenience of these minimalist notions birthed several generations of depreciated design for the sake of cheaper production costs and automation. Marcel Breuer’s bicycle-frame-inspired Wassily chair became the ubiquitous schoolhouse stacking chairs, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonia homes became the raised ranches we grew up in. Our work aims to reinvigorate the possibilities of minimalism while moving away from the aesthetic and ethical consequences of mass production. We give sleek modern lines a distinctive personality.
We hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for in our work, as we hope our work finds what it’s looking for in your home.
