A LUMINOUS PAVILION AND IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE
A profound synergy
of artistic mastery
and cutting-edge
technology
Pagoda is a luminous architectural pavilion and immersive art experience that transports visitors into a mesmerizing dreamscape created by artist James Jean.
Comprising an innovatively-designed steel structure supporting intricately detailed glass panels, it was developed in collaboration with Judson Studios.
Conceived with the highest advancements in art glass and engineering, Pagoda stands as a monumental achievement in contemporary art.
The Team
Pagoda was made possible through the collaboration of teams from a multitude of backgrounds, including planning, design, manufacturing, and custom fabrication.
James Jean
Known for his unique blend of myth, nature, and culture James Jean's artistic vision has shaped the creation of Pagoda.
His ability to craft immersive, otherworldly realms is central to the pavilion’s design, merging traditional stained glass techniques with a modern narrative of transformation.
Judson Studios
Judson Studios designs and builds stained glass artworks to create light, life, energy, and inspiration.
Crafting shared experiences in glass and employing both new technology and age-old techniques, Judson’s team of designers, artisans, and engineers ensure that timeless craftsmanship continues to inspire.
Nous Engineering
Structural Engineer
United Environment Architecture
Architecture
Sparce Studio
Computational Design
Atmos Lab
Environment Specialist
Gimbel
Automation
Frame Fabricator
Bullseye Glass Co.
Glass Manufacturer
Atmos Lab
Environment Specialist
Agnora
Architectural Glass
Launched in 2020, the creation of Pagoda has been a five-year journey. Watch as the dome comes to life, beginning with paper models, followed by early digital renders and fused samples, recent images, and a final rendering, showing how it will appear when installed in 2025.
TIMELINE
2020
Artistic vision born out of a collaboration
James Jean’s first models for Pagoda.
Early renders of the Pagoda.
First blueprints of the Pagoda "dome". Designed by United Environment Architecture
James Jean's artistic visions have materialized through projects like Portals and Gaia, utilizing innovative techniques and developing new workflows. The collaboration between James and Judson Studios has thrived over the years.
In 2020, Jean approached Judson with a colossal, new idea: An immersive pavilion that would transcend the boundaries of traditional art and glass and invite visitors into an ethereal garden of botanical forms and mythical creatures.
Initial sketches for Pagoda synthesized both Eastern and Western motifs, inspired by the five classical elements (fire water, wood, metal, and earth).
James Jean, Gaia.
Fused Glass, Lead, Steel, and incandescent Bulb
52 x 52 x 93”, 2019.
Portal Interior.
Leaded and Fused Glass,
35 7/16” x 56 5/8”, 2018.
2021
The Umbrella: Pagoda's first material and structural studies
Architectural elevation of the Umbrella
Pagoda’s art glass panels began taking shape at Judson Studios’ fused glass facility.
Final digital artwork of Umbrella.
James' vision of a minimalist framing system drove the early stages of the Pagoda project, which involved extensive research into the challenges of integrating stained glass into a load-bearing structure.
As these foundational elements took shape, the creation of Umbrella, an 11-foot sculpture, served as a proof of concept for what would become Pagoda.
An early prototype of Pagoda’s custom titanium framework. The final version would be capable of withstanding 45 multi layered panels and weigh over 300 pounds.
Various glass colors were tested to determine optimal heat transfer and climate control properties, ensuring the pavilion's ability to withstand environmental factors.
To translate the intricate details of James Jean’s vision into glass, both leaded and fused glass techniques were used, finished by hand painting.
2022
Crafting with digital precision
By matching digital color codes with custom glass hues, a perfect translation of colors from the artwork was achieved.
Newly developed digital workflows enabled the precise digitization of James Jean’s intricate artwork, without compromising its fine details.
All 44 Pagoda panels being digitally processed.
Following the success of the Umbrella project in 2021, translating James intricate artwork into glass became more complex. This led to the advancement of digital workflows at Judson, resulting in the development of custom technqiues designed to accurately translate James' vision into fused glass.
The pursuit of absolute accuracy in every detail drove Judson Studios and the team at United Environment Architecture (UAE) to refine both the art-glass and stainless steel elements of Pagoda, ensuring that each piece fit seamlessly into the overall design.
The use of CNC waterjet technology ensured precise and accurate cutting of thousands of pieces.
Sections from Pagoda being edited to ensure cutting precision.
The development of computational tools allowed the team to automatically group hundreds of pieces in a way that reduces the impact of glass scraps when cutting, thus reducing material impact.
2023
A new way to perceive glass
Early tests of fusing.
The creation of multi-layered textured glass enhanced the Pagoda's visual and physical presence, adding depth and character to the work. The captivating tactile quality of the glass amplifies the audience's interaction with light and form.
To achieve this, the team developed bespoke multi-layered glass panels, combining fused art glass, kiln-formed textured glass, and structural glass. Each panel, weighing over 300 pounds, required careful engineering to be integrated into Pagoda’s design, ensuring both durability and aesthetic precision.
Multiple samples depicting various figures.
One of Pagoda’s 44 textured panels.
Section of multi-layered panels (textured glass and fused glass)
A 1:1 scale model of the Pagoda panels installed at Judson’s fused studio.
A digital simulation of mold carving.
2024
Pagoda Emerges
In 2024, Pagoda reached its final stages. What began as James' dreamscape is now nearing completion, shaped by years of collaboration, creativity, and innovation.
Soon, it will serve as a testament to the power of world-building and the intersection of art and technology. The shared vision of James Jean and Judson Studios for an immersive and transformative glass experience has propelled this medium into the future, resulting in a landmark artwork that will inspire and captivate for years to come.
2025
Final Bloom
Architectural elevation of the Umbrella
Pagoda’s art glass panels began taking shape at Judson Studios’ fused glass facility.
Final digital artwork of Umbrella.
In 2025, the final panels were placed and Pagoda took form. Years of engineering, craftsmanship, and creative exchange converged into a singular artwork, inviting viewers into a space where light, color, and form unfold in fused layers.
Pagoda stands as a culmination of process and imagination, reflecting a collective push to reimagine what glass can do, and what art can be.
This early concept illustrates the custom stainless steel frame components developed for Pagoda's structural system. Engineered to minimize sightlines between panels while providing the mechanical strength required to interlock 44 multilayered glass assemblies, this bespoke architectural detail connects each panel and distributes loads through the tempered glass that forms the shell structure.
Various glass colors were tested to determine optimal heat transfer and climate control properties, ensuring the pavilion's ability to withstand environmental factors.
To translate the intricate details of James Jean’s vision into glass, both leaded and fused glass techniques were used, finished by hand painting.
44
Multi-layered glass panels
300
Pounds each panel
680
Square footage of glass used
5
Years in
the making
0
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5
Years in
the making
680
Square footage of glass used
300
Pounds each panel
44
Multi-layered glass panels
6 UNIQUE FIGURES REPRESENTED THROUGHOUT 44 PANELS
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