Since the scope of our work embraces the entire cycle of production from design to installation, we work in cooperation with any of a number of various building industry professionals. If you are a building industry professional, the following information is provided to give you an orientation to the relevant and important points of working policy and protocol we maintain with your profession and field.
We value these relations highly and look forward to establishing more and more of them.
Honesty & Reliability
Since 1995, in addition to our quality crafstmanship and artistic integrity, we are known for our honest and reliable customer service. This not only includes property owners, but extends to general contractors, architects and interior designers too, who are oftentimes the liaison to the actual client, and, in many cases, technically speaking, our client (since we often get commissioned directly by them as a subcontractor for our specialty services), as well as to any other building industry professionals we may deal with.
As you know, generally speaking, this industry tends to be rather involved and methodical; it’s both attention- and time-consuming. With effective and organized management, systematic execution of targets, tight coordination and efficient productivity, the mission gets accomplished a whole heck of a lot faster, which benefits everyone involved.
Please realize that our own background with founder and artist/designer Simon Simonian includes hard-won knowledge and experience in both architecture and construction. We understand firsthand the importance of having subcontractors and vendors who are trustworthy and reliable.
Coordination Policy
When working directly with architects, general contractors or interior designers, it is our firm policy that we do not attempt to circumvent or bypass them by dealing with the client directly, where this is not desired or warranted, unless specifically requested by the firm or company to do so, which is sometimes the case. Our liaison point always remains with the applicable building industry professional.
Our Relationship with General Contractors, Project Managers and Superintendents
As we oversee every aspect of creation, not just design, but production and installation also, it necessitates cooperation with general contractors or their project managers or superintendents.
We recognize that the general contractor is the central coordinating body for all construction affairs and respect that. It is very imperative for us to remain in excellent, tight coordination with contractors and/or projects managers and superintendents as necessary, especially regarding installations.
Installations are particularly crucial affairs and coordination is vital, not only with contractors, but with their pertinent subs too. It is necessary to ensure they occur at optimum times, with minimized job site traffic in the form of bodies, tools, equipment and materials.
Our information is submitted to construction companies and general contractors to be included in their library and files as a subcontractor.
Our Relationship with Architects
Since our work involves every aspect from design to creation and installation, it may necessitate collaboration with architects, primarily during the design phase.
We recognize that the architect is the creative source of projects they are involved with. While we are the creative source behind whatever stained glass project we do, remember, our original work is custom, which means that we accommodate whatever design is required and will meet it. The architect remains the creative director and we recognize and respect that. We maintain a unique relationship where we work under their creative direction for a project yet maintain our exclusivity in design, in a manner that does not intrude upon their creative vision, but instead accommodates, compliments and realizes it.
The architect is a specialist in what they do, and we are a specialist in what we do. When it comes to design, the relationship can be either collaborative or accommodating, however the architect and/or client wishes it to be.
The designer/artist, Simon Simonian is himself a trained architect with that background and thus possesses the empathy, appreciation and regard for an architect’s integrity.
Our information is submitted to architectural firms to be included in their library and files as a service vendor.
Our Relationship with Interior Designers
As our work is not only structural and exterior, and can also be interior and even incorporated into furnishings, it may necessitate collaboration with interior designers.
Our policy, regard and protocol with them is exactly the same as it is with architects, as specified above.
But one special aspect is that in addition to commissioning structural stained/leaded glass, we also offer various kiln-fired glass creations as well as interior leaded glass pieces that can be used as décor items. We also offer a collection of Simon Simonian’s fine art.
As with architects, our information is submitted to interior design firms to be included in their library and files as a service vendor.
Our Relationship with Developers
Developers of mostly higher-end luxury homes and estates may choose to include stained/leaded glass in their custom homes, particularly skylight domes. This may even potentially increase the market value of their properties, as has been claimed by many developers we’ve dealt with, by their own origination.
Our Relationship with Metalworkers
Whenever there is a skylight project, we will work directly with metalworkers, as precise sizes and dimensions and other technical factors are crucial to their structures.
Our Relationship with Door & Sash Companies
Not all door and sash companies are the same. Some manufacture, some distribute, some install. We are able to work in collaboration with makers of custom doors to incorporate stained/leaded glass into their products. And of course, we work in conjunction with door and window installers, as necessary.
Our Relationship with Glass Companies & Glaziers
Sometimes, people will mistakenly contact glass companies who provide regular or tempered glass, inquiring about stained/leaded glass. Our involvement with such companies is more as a recipient of referrals.
Glaziers are people who install regular glass, especially in windows and doors. We oversee and do our own installations for stained/leaded glass. However, as our panels can also be included with regular glass or tempered glass (as protective outer coverings, etc.), we will work with glaziers in those cases to ensure proper coordination regarding installation.
Our Relationship with Skylight Companies
As with glass companies, sometimes people will mistakenly contact skylight companies who provide regular skylights, inquiring about stained/leaded glass ones. Our involvement with such companies is more as a recipient of referrals.
When it comes to exterior skylights or domes (those situated on rooftops as opposed to ceilings), a protective structure is built around them in order to house them and to protect them from the elements. This structure is taken care of entirely by general contractors who then also commission skylight companies for the clear covering on the structure which allows sunlight. We are not involved with this aspect at all.
Cabinetmakers
We will work in collaboration with makers of custom cabinets to incorporate stained/leaded glass into their creations.
Furniture Makers
We will work in collaboration with makers of custom furniture to incorporate stained/leaded glass into their creations.
Electricians and Electrical Engineers
Occasionally, certain projects such as various light fixtures and artificially illuminated skylights and lightboxes may necessitate some coordination with electricians.
Presentations
If your firm or studio or office would like a presentation about our services and what we do, this is also feasible. Please contact us and we can hopefully arrange this.
