They say people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Well, the only thing people who live in these fine houses will be throwing is endless parties.
The houses below are real marvels of glass architecture from across the globe. True exemplars of how glass can bring a lot more to the design than just simple windows.
The Glass House
The Glass House by architect Philip Johnson is one of the oldest glass architecture houses, with building work commencing in 1949. It wasn’t officially finished until 1995. Johnson, who died in 2005, referred to the site of the Glass House as his ‘fifty-year diary’.
The 49-acre site is now looked after by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and houses not just The Glass House, but thirteen other structures and a collection of 20th-century sculptures and paintings. Much of the art was donated by Philip Johnson himself.
Johnson helped shape the architecture of the 20th Century, and designed, the Crystal Cathedral and Sony Plaza, as well as working alongside Ludwig Mies van der Rohe on the Seagram Building and its renowned Four Seasons Restaurant.
www.theglasshouse.org
Glass Architecture House Concept
The Glass House has inspired other architects around the world; the pictures below are actually highly realistic artist renderings and not a real house at all.
The design is by Milano Architect Carlo Santambrogio, and the house is part of a series of glass architecture house designs he has made to show how a modular glass design can be put together in any configuration to fit the site’s topography.
It allows the occupants to be completely immersed in their natural environment; surrounded by glass on all four sides.
For privacy, the glass can be turned to matte at the touch of the button and internal rooms can have sliding curtains or blinds.
This is the Snow House; designed with thicker glass to keep the heat in, but Santambrogio has also designed a Cliff House that sits over water to give the occupants the feeling of floating.
www.designboom.com/architecture/carlosantambrogio-glass-house-series/
Glass Architecture: Weekend House in Karuizawa
This house, on the other hand, is a real design by Japan-based architect TNA. It is situated in the woods an hour outside of Tokyo and was designed as a weekend retreat.
The prefabricated facade is a Vierendeel structure; concealed by laminated cedar strips that are fixed to the internal timber columns.
The rest of the external structure is all glass; to give the house the feeling of complete connection with the woods.
© DAICI ANO
www.tna-arch.com
Glass Water Villa Kortenhoef
In this Dutch design, the ground floor is kept very low to the water and the large glass frontage gives spectacular views across the lake.
There is even another level underwater where the bathroom and bedrooms are located; giving privacy with natural light coming from internal shafts.
www.waterstudio.nl/
Rieteiland House
This is another Dutch creation by Amsterdam-based Hans van Heeswijk; built in Ljburg on the eastern edge of the city.
The three-storey waterside dwelling has perforated aluminium panels on the front, and the back is entirely glazed; giving residents a panorama view and great sunset vistas.
The panels give residents some privacy and they can also be opened to let in light and allow people to enjoy the view across the water.
www.heeswijk.nl
Brentwood LA
This Californian House was designed by architect Ray Kappe and was originally built in the 1960s. It has recently been completely restored by Michael LaFetra.
The house boasts a rooftop deck with stunning views, as well as five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and the glass walls are supported by the subtle wood architecture.
The beautiful external dark wood supporting the glass walls is contrasted with the warm sixties wooden detailing inside.
The high-ceiling living room offers gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach and Catalina Island.
…and of course, the obligatory infinity pool!
www.michaellafetra.com/kappe-12256-canna-rd/