IE University and the Royal Glass Factory of La Granja Present Experimental Glass Exhibition in Segovia

Madrid, 23 May 2025 – IE School of Architecture and Design has launched "Mould Operandi 2025", an experimental design exhibition at the Palacio de Quintanar in Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned center for creativity and innovation. The exhibition, open to the public until 28 May, showcases blown glass pieces crafted at the historic Royal Glass Factory of La Granja. The works were developed by Bachelor in Design students as part of the “Materials & Applications I” course, under the guidance of adjunct professors Andrea Caruso and Adam Caplowe. It presents a collection of blown glass pieces created at The Royal Glass Factory of La Granja (Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja) using molds designed by students throughout the academic year on IE University’s Segovia campus.

This project follows a methodology rooted in direct, hands-on exploration of materials. Each student selected a material—cardboard, wood, metal, plastic, or textile—and performed a sequence of 25 physical actions on it, inspired by artist Richard Serra’s "Verb List Compilation: Actions to Relate to Oneself". These actions—such as cutting, folding, compressing, stretching, and perforating—were used to transform the materials into unique molds, each named after its defining verb.

Guided by this radical framework for material engagement, Caruso and Caplowe led students through a process of analysis, experimentation, and mold-making. The course culminated in a live glassblowing workshop at The Royal Glass Factory of La Granja under the technical direction of master glassblower Diego Rodríguez.

Instead of a traditional final submission, the course concludes with "Mould Operandi 2025", a public exhibition that bridges academic exploration and artisanal practice. The resulting glass pieces retain the formal logic of their original molds and were crafted using traditional techniques that honor The Royal Glass Factory of La Granja.

This initiative is part of a broader pedagogical approach centered on action, material manipulation, and the integration of conceptual design with technical execution. It offers a framework that connects personal inquiry with collaborative production, underscoring the intersection between design thinking and material transformation.

The exhibition reveals the evolution from abstract operations to concrete artifacts. The diverse array of works on display reflects a variety of interpretations and design strategies, all shaped by a deep understanding of material behavior and the expressive potential of glass.

Set within the historic Palacio de Quintanar, the exhibition encourages a meaningful dialogue between academic innovation and traditional craftsmanship. It not only documents an educational process but also invites the public to reflect on the role of design in shaping material culture.

All photos are by Roberto Arribas.