Glencairn House Museum and Library
Helen was commissioned by Page\Park architecture practice to design the ceramic façade of Glencairn House Museum and Library in Dumbarton.
It was important to Page\Park to capture the handmade quality of the historic glass objects as well as the intangible colour and tone of the landscape around the town. Helen began her research by spending time drawing and taking photographs along the River Leven, at Dumbarton Rock and studying objects in the museum collection. As she did, a cohesive colour palette began to emerge. She was particularly drawn to the glints of aqua, turquoise, and lime green seen, for example, in the glass turtle friggers, the glass obelisk and Roman coin in the collection, as well as the boats, buildings and rope found along the River Leven. Helen then collaborated with Page\Park and architectural ceramic specialists Darwen Terracotta, to develop a handmade bespoke glaze that is uniquely “of” Dumbarton.
Mural
To celebrate the creation of Glencairn House Museum and Library, Helen created a mural inspired by the ceramic tiles for the Page\Park offices in Glasgow, ahead of Glasgow's Doors Open Festival in 2025. This was part of an exhibition showcasing the design process and ideas that went into the building's overall design.
Engagement and Co-design
Alongside the building’s design, Helen collaborated with Lateral North to lead community engagement workshops with local children which explored some of Dumbarton’s formative heritage and stories. During these sessions, children from local primary schools helped shape the library’s internal exhibition and co-designed a selection of unique characters with Helen. Helen then collaborated with the children to create a story inspired by the River Leven and Dumbarton Rock which will be on display in the library.
