Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte

In the 1950s, Ingrand began designing glass lighting, which brought him the directorship of Fontana Arte. From 1954 to 1967, under his leadership, the Fpntana Arte produced creations by a number of legendary designers, such as Gio Ponti. Technological innovation during the time led to Ingrand’s revolutionary use of glass quenching, which increased the durability of the materials being produced. While still in this capacity, Ingrand continued to execute other projects, completing a glass walled swimming pool on the S.S. France, the fountains on the Champs-Elysées, and a major glass commission on the new Saint-Jean-Baptiste de la Rechèvres Church in Chartres—a place of inspiration for him as a child.