Fernando Codinha

Eerste Bussumse Glashandel

Stained glass maker

Through the stained looking-glass

Fernando restores and creates stained glass pieces that harmonise with architecture
He took over the historic Eerste Bussumse Glashandel in 2006
He was named Craftsman of the Year in 2011 by Ambachtsacademie Leermeester

As a child, Fernando Codinha was fascinated by the stained glass he saw in churches. He went on to study the craft at art school in Marinha Grande in Portugal, not far from his native Nazaré. Later, Fernando moved to The Netherlands where he eventually took over the historic stained-glass company Eerste Bussumse Glashandel founded in 1928. "The best compliment is when people say that a finished piece looks like it has always been there," he says. Among his proudest projects are the restorations of the Concordia building in Bussum and Foodhall MOUT in Hilversum, as well as his personal Mona Lisa, a piece inspired by his wife. Fernando also shares his passion through workshops. "Stained glass is more than a way to create beauty, it is about preserving heritage and inspiring the next generation," he says.

Interview

What does your work involve?: I do a lot of restoration and repair. I often remove entire windows, source coloured glass to match the original and replace the lead canes, which do not last more than 80 years. It is difficult to find identical colours, but my workshop has collected and kept many fragments over the years.
Where do you find inspiration?: I am always looking up at buildings. I love walking in the woods, being outside and just observing colours and shapes. I have always been inspired by the past. We can learn so much from it. I am influenced by the Jugendstil from the late 1800s, which also draws heavily from nature.
What does well made mean to you?: My pieces are not made solely based on what the client wants, but also on what fits the building. I advise everyone to choose designs that complement their houses. People move on, but houses remain. A well made stained glass piece is one that blends harmoniously with the building and reflects the client’s wishes.
Do you have any plans for the future?: I want to show younger generations that building a life through craftsmanship is possible, and that it can be done through love and passion. They can even gain recognition for it. My hope is to encourage others to explore crafts, work with their hands and experience the joy of creating something that makes people happy.

Fernando Codinha is a master artisan: he began his career in 1998 and he started teaching in 2000