With all that’s happening right now with the world’s economy, companies everywhere are struggling to stay viable. And with new construction starts for both residential and commercial projects dropping, both architects and designers are also feeling the effects of this slowdown. However, while the construction industry has certainly seen its share of better days, for some specially focused businesses the pinch hasn’t been quite as bad as it has been for others. The high-end, luxury market, for example, is one sect that has not felt the same impact as that of mainstream America. High-end builders and buyers are often the ones most likely to purchase high-end features and products, including decorative and art glass products, which typically come at a premium compared to traditional glazing materials. And despite the high price tag, some decorative glass manufacturers say they’ve yet to see the same drops in business as other glass companies-but that doesn’t mean they aren’t scared.Ken Von Roenn, head designer and president of Architectural Glass Art Inc. in Louisville, Ky., likened what he’s seeing currently to a quote from Daniel Webster, an American statesman during the nation’s Antebellum period: “There’s always room at the top.” In other words, if the wealthy have money to spend then they certainly will spend it.

“We’ve built our business to focus on the higher-end market and the advantage of that [is the high end] is less susceptible to the downturn. However, that does not mean we’re not immune to the economic effects … it’s just not to the same degree [as traditional building materials],” Von Roenn said, adding that he still gets calls for quotes regularly “but six months from now, who knows what will happen.”

Stew Langer, founder of UroGlass in Kansas City, Mo., says he, too, has yet to see a severe business downturn due to the current economic crunch.

“It seems that most of our products are placed in venues large enough that they are part of a ‘show that must go on’ regardless of the economy. Principally, I’m talking about products that are incorporated into institutional, commercial or hospitality projects,” he says. “I don’t see anyone saying ‘let’s change gears and cut back’ in places where the environment of the space has been planned around the special touches, of which decorative glass is a part.”

Langer adds that homeowners who have the means to buy upscale products don’t seem to be cutting back, either.
“I continue to count my blessings that I’m involved in one of those businesses that is principally geared to providing for the ‘wants’ and not the ‘needs’ of many,” Langer adds. “So far, so good. I think everyone will continue to do OK despite the general state of the economy as long as they have products on board that set them apart from mainstream.”