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Modern architecture is traversing many unconventional
ways. The use of glass in as a dominating material is one of the
features that developed recently. Quite a few glass buildings have taken
birth over the years, displaying breathtaking beauty and outstanding
innovation. Here is a list of some amazing glass buildings in the world.
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The Botanical Garden of Curitiba
Inspired by the mid-19th century Crystal Palace of London, the Botanical
Garden was opened in 1991. Located in the center of Curitiba, it is one
of the major tourist attractions in the city. The greenhouse forms the
seminal part of the garden, where various species of plants are grown.
An art nouveau building spanning over 450 square meters in area, the
greenhouse is an elegant construction made of glass and metal,
surrounded by waterfalls and fountains. |
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Kanagawa Institute of Technology Workshop, Tokyo
Located on the campus of Kanagawa Institute of Technology, this
building, if it can be called so, is one of the most transparent
constructions out there. It was designed by Junya Ishigami and
Associates. The building is essentially a single room about 2000 square
meters large. It is composed of only glass panels and white steel
columns of varying size and shape. The whole design gives a sense of
forest rather than a building. |
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The Farnsworth House, Plano
Designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the Farnsworth House is
the oldest construction in this list. Located along the Fox River near
the city of Plano, the major feature of the building is its transparency
which brings the inmates closer to nature. It is a one room building
finished in 1951 for Dr. Edith Farnsworth as a rural retreat. It was
designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006 and is a museum now. |
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Basque Health Department Headquarters, Bilbao
The beauty of this building may prompt you to think it is an art gallery
or museum rather than an office building. But the 13-storey headquarters
of the Basque Health Department is one of the iconic buildings in Spain.
It was designed by Coll-Barreu Arquitectos. Its polyhedral glass facade
allows the natural light to enter inside and make the interior luminous
and also reflects the sky. It is one of the popular tourist attractions
in Bilbao. |
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Hotel W, Barcelona
Spanish cities are not just known for their medieval architecture but
modern constructions as well. The W Hotel, located on the coastline of
Barcelona, is an ideal example of the advancement of modern
architecture. Designed by Ricardo Bofill and finished in 2009, this five
star hotel is covered by glass which transmits the natural light. The
hotel is designed in the model of a sail, which earned it the nickname
Hotel Vela (Sail Hotel), and provides the guests a spectacular view of
the Mediterranean Sea from behind the glass walls.
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Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision
Located in Hilversum, the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision is
one of the most unique constructions in the world. Designed by
architects Willem Jan Neutelings and Michiel Riedijk, the building is in
the shape of a cube and is covered with colored cast-glass panels. It
has a total of 10 floors, half of which are underground. The night view
of the building is particularly mesmerizing. It is a museum and archive
which houses most of the audiovisual materials produced in the country
for a long time.
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Louvre Pyramid, Paris
Perhaps the most famous of the glass buildings in this list, the Louvre
Pyramid attracted a large amount of criticism on its opening as well.
Many architects believed it was a blot on the beauty of the classic
architecture of Louvre Museum. However, the structure, built in 1989, is
one of the iconic glass constructions in the world. Designed by
architect I. M. Pei, the pyramidical structure serves as the principal
entrance to the renowned museum.
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30 St Mary Axe, London
Also known as ‘The Gherkin’, 30 St Mary Axe is one of the tallest
structures in London. Designed by Norman Foster, its construction was
finished in 2003. Most of the building is covered with thick glass
panels, which enhances the use of natural light and temperature. The
building; which has 41 floors, uses much less energy for its activities
compared to similar structures. It received the Royal Institute of
British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize in 2004. |
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Dancing House, Prague
Also known as Fred and Ginger, the Dancing House is a unique piece of
modern architecture. Built in 1996, this building is located in Prague
near the Vltava river, in the midst of old classic buildings. The shape
of the building resembles a pair of dancers, a tribute to Fred Astaire
and Ginger Rogers. It was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank
Gehry. Although controversial on its construction, the building won the
Design of the Year award by Time magazine in 1996.
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