Kenneth von Roen
Kenneth von Roenn, Director of Design of Kaiser / von Roenn Studio, has more than 50 years of experience as an architectural glass art designer, a studio owner, an architect ( M. Arch., Yale U. ) as well as a principal of an architectural firm.
von Roenn began his career in glass in 1970 at Louisville Art Glass. Within a few years he
had become the General Manager and in 1975, he was promoted to President. In the early
70’s he was an active member of the Stained Glass Association of America serving on the
executive committee and also as chairman of the publications committee
Recognizing a need for the development of architectural expressive glass in 1991, von Roenn
bought the Louisville Art Glass Studio and renamed it Architectural Glass Art, Inc. He
expanded and reorganized the company, redirecting its focus on new roles and opportunities
for glass in architecture. The studio quickly became recognized for its innovative application
of new technologies in the execution of architectural glass art. Within the studio he served
as the director of design and CEO/President, managing a staff of thirty and directing the
exploration and development of techniques and technologies in glass fabrication.
In the late 90’s, von Roenn’s desire to expand the studio led to his search for a new space.
During this period, he joined with a group of developers and investors interested in the
revitalization of downtown Louisville as well as the region’s firm commitment to the arts.
The group, guided by von Roenn’s vision of a multipurpose glass facility, formulated a
concept for Glassworks. From the original idea of a new home for Architectural Glass Art,
von Roenn created a space for more than 50 glass artists to work and sell their art. Von
Roenn owned and oversaw the two galleries, a public workshop, a tour program, a special
events program and the glass blowing studio, and a mobile glass blowing van powered by
vegetable oil, all of which comprised Glasswork
Von Roenn’s work has been published in numerous books and in many major architecture
magazines, including a feature article on his work in “Architecture” magazine. He has lectured
extensively throughout North America and Canada and has written dozens of articles on art
and architecture.
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