Glass Blocks: The Ugly Duckling of Architecture

Hi friends 👋

Welcome to this week’s instalment of The Midmod Corner.

Let’s be honest. The thought of glass blocks probably makes you shudder. Unless you fall into the 5%^* category of new generation designers who have already embraced the potential of this highly misunderstood building material.

The return of glass blocks… that’s what we’ll talk about today.

^*btw, this statistic is entirely subjective and quite probably completely inaccurate – just sayin’!

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🗞️ The Story

In architecture, context is paramount. Glass blocks, popularized in Europe during the Art Deco era and post-war Brutalism, brought an abundance of light and warmth to grand municipal buildings.

In the US, they became synonymous with mid-century modernism, seamlessly blending with clean lines and natural stone, creating the iconic Palm Springs aesthetic.

Glass blocks, also known as glass bricks, trace their origins back to the late 1880s when Swiss Architect & Engineer Gustave Falconnier first produced them in squares and hexagonal shapes. It wasn't until the 1930s that machine production advancements led to more sophisticated glass bricks that were easier to handle.

Designed to be laid in the traditional style of masonry, glass blocks quickly became known for their ground-breaking qualities. This adaptable, modular, and thermally stable material facilitated the passage of light while ensuring privacy—a winning combination.

Glass blocks swiftly captured the interest of numerous modernist architects. Pierre Chareau notably incorporated them into his 1932 masterpiece, La Maison de Verre (House of Glass), located in Paris. The design concept envisioned an illuminated box that continues to symbolize architectural innovation ahead of its time.

In 1935, the Cedar Lake Residence emerged as a unique International Style home, showcasing a distinctive ribbon effect created using glass blocks. This innovative design significantly enhanced the appeal of this often mocked material in the region.

Famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando also embraced glass blocks for their dual ability to reveal and obscure, which he utilized to shape the interior courtyard of his Ichihara House and the facade of Horiuchi House, both crafted in 1979.

In the late '90s, Hermès collaborated with architect Renzo Piano to craft their iconic Tokyo Ginza headquarters, featuring 13,000 custom-made square glass blocks.

Fast forward to 2016, CHANEL partnered with MVRDV to revamp their Amsterdam flagship store, using glass blocks to replace the original brick facade, showcasing modern glass technology.

Certainly, there has been a resurgence of glass block usage in recent years, in both commercial and residential projects. These endeavors, while perhaps not as dramatic as some, are equally compelling and have contributed to the renewed interest in this often misunderstood building material.

🌐 Around The Web

The Vault: Don't you hate it when your coffee gets cold and loses its flavor because work takes over? Say goodbye to that problem with the Ember Mug! This amazing smart mug lets you control its temperature right from your phone. No more wasted coffee or microwaving! Keep your coffee and tea hot and delicious all day long. (link)^*

Collaboration Alert: New York jeweler Bernard James has inked a home goods collaboration with contemporary modular furniture company USM, comprising three pieces that hope to “celebrate the process and beauty of living.” (link)

Taxi cabs and pizza boxes: New York’s beloved tokens, from the Statue of Liberty to the classic yellow taxi cab, are reimagined by Paa Joe for Superhouse's inaugural show in New York, ‘Celestial City.’ The exhibition is open to the public until April 27, 2024. (link)

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