Lucile Viaud – Seaweed Glassmaker

Bretagne – 1993

Lucile Viaud is a seaweed glassmaker. Because of her childhood into a family of craftsmen, she rapidly specialized in the arts and crafts sector. During her studies at the Ecole Boulle, she focused on the valorisation of co-products from the fishing industry. In 2015, she founded Atelier Lucile Viaud, specialized in the creation of glass made of natural resources and local co-products. She offers art object collections and exceptional bespoke pieces for professionals. In 2016, she entered a residency at Les Ateliers de Paris as a designer of biobased materials, and created the Ostraco brand.

2023 – Dialogues Prize, Bettencourt Schueller Foundation. 

2018 – “Observeur du design” award; Emerging Talent award, design speciality, Grands prix de la Création des Ateliers de Paris.

Research and innovation

Lucile Viaud combines research, design and craftsmanship in her creative approach. She transforms marine products into durable, long-lasting glass. At the same time, she continues her research into glass at the Laboratoire Verres & Céramiques of the Institut des Sciences Chimiques of Rennes.

Transmission

Lucile Viaud wants to promote her know-how, the heritage it represents and natural resources. By creating her own materials, she has acquired solid historical, scientific, and technical expertise, which she shares with local players.

Fondation Rémy Cointreau has supported Lucile Viaud for two projects. The first in 2020 enabled her to develop more innovative products, thanks to the acquisition of raw materials and the financing of their melting and grinding. The second, in 2022, involved assistance with the design and construction of an eco-responsible oven as part of her research project on glass from the Ponant Islands.